January 22, 2017

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 46

Mass rally: state Govt instructs dist admin, police DIMAPUR, JAN 21 (NPN): State government has instructed the district administration and police to make it clear to the organisations calling for demonstration that responsibility of ensuring their demonstration was peaceful and within the four walls of the law rested on them. In a press statement, home commissioner, Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, warned that in the event of unlawful acts or violence on the part of the agitators leading to injury or death or damage to property, the organizers/leaders would also be held “criminally and civilly liable” for such acts/ violence. Further, taking note of Gaon Buras (GBs) taking part in demonstration called by various organizations to oppose the conduct of elections to ULB in the state, the home commissioner said the GBs, having been appointed by the district administration to aid and assist the government, were not expected to participate in any demonstration or rally that was against the government programme or policies. Home commissioner also stated that government servants were similarly bound by conduct rules. The state government has therefore cautioned that any GB or government servant found indulging in activities inimical to the smooth and peaceful conduct of ULB elections was liable to be proceeded against by the district administration and instructions have been issued accordingly by the government.

12-hr KA bandh on January 24 Correspondent

DIPHU, JAN 21: Seven social and student organizations have jointly called for a 12-hour bandh on January 24, 2017 from 5 a.m. in protest against their unfulfilled demands including a separate electoral roll by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) election and strengthening of Karbi Customary Laws. The seven organizations include United Karbi Students Association (UKSA), Karbi Students & Youth Assembly (KSYA), Karbi Farmers Association (Rajesh Tisso faction), Nilip Nihang Karbi Rong Asar Amei (NNKRAA), People for People (PP), Karbi Anglong Rong Asar Amei (KARAA) and Sixth Schedule ImplementationCommittee.

DIMAPUR, sunday, january 22, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Longwa the case of international injustice

Stubborn Swansea shock Liverpool

General ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis sworn in as US Defence Secy

Sunday Post Supplement

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

Tribal bodies gear up for mass rally

DIMAPUR, JAN 21 (NPN): Tribal bodies who are part of the Joint Coordination Committee were now all set to go ahead with the January 23 mass public rally to be held at the State Stadium near DC court junction from 11 a.m. Members from the Ao, Chakhro Angami, Sumi, Lotha, ENPO and other community members are expected to attend the rally in thousands. In this regard, the respective tribal organizations have been holding series of consultative meeting to chalk out the action plan. M e a n w h i l e, N a g a Council Dimapur (NCD) has informed all the citizens of Dimapur that normal day to day activities would not be affected by the proposed public rally. The rally has been initiated by the Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) to reaffirm its stand against present imbroglio concerning urban local bodies (ULB) election. In a press release, NCD president, T Bangerloba, stated that all business, private, government establishments would run as usual on that day.

Further, NCD has appealed to all the public to attend the rally “so as to come to a consensus solution to the present crisis.”

ASTD issues directive

Staff Reporter: In view of the mass public rally to be held on January 23 under the aegis of Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) has asked all Ao community members both male and female above 18 years to attend the meeting in traditional attire. This decision besides others was made during the emergency executive meeting of the ASTD in Dimapur on Saturday. The house also directed all concern village unions to ensure participation of their members, failing which the union has decided to impose a fine of Rs 1000 against those who fail to attend the rally. Meanwhile, ASTD has lauded all those who had withdrawn the nomination papers and further appealed to those remaining Aos candidate to do the same at the earliest. The union has unanimously resolved to take

forward the movement to oppose ULB polls until necessary rectification was done in the present Municipal Act. Meanwhile, ASTD has called for an emergency meeting with all Aos GBs and colony chairmen on January 22 at 2 p.m. at the residence of ASTD treasurer.

CPO appeals to units

Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) has appealed to all frontal organizations and village units under its jurisdiction to join the peace rally on January 23 at 11 a.m. to show solidarity and desire to safeguard the traditional practises of the Nagas. In a press note, CPO president Vichütuolie Mere and general secretary Zakievisie Kruse said the decision was made at the emergency executive to urge upon all its members to attend the rally at the state stadium organized jointly by other tribes and Naga Council Dimapur. In this regard, CPO has asked all members to attend the rally with any of the traditional dress for identification.

of the Naga Council Dimapur. In this regard, the CNTC has “greatly lauded” the efforts of Nagas tribes coming together on the crucial issue. The council affirmed that it was not against the ULB elections but against the 33% women reservation issue, which it stressed needed serious deliberation for all stakeholders so that it “becomes acceptable for all.” Further, the CNTC has made a “fervent appeal” to all responsible to understand the matter and listen to the clarion call. Meanwhile, CNTC has urged all the candidates to abstain from contesting the coming elections and renounce their candidatures. CNTC said that they withdrawing their candidature would speak volumes of their integrity and solidarity, which it maintained would be “remembered for

all the coming generations about upholding the traditional rights and customs of the Nagas.” Stating that state capital Kohima had witnessed a nil nomination along with other districts, the CNTC, therefore, appealed the state government to consider the “continuous appeals” made by various civil society organisations. CNTC also appealed for maintaining restraint amongst the conflicting parties, whatever maybe the differences, and sort out the matter peacefully “for the betterment of our people”. It may be mention that for the matter pertaining to ULB elections and nomination of intending candidates, the CNTC along with its constituent units formed the Joint Coordination Committee on January 5. The committee was later joined by other tribal bodies.

BJP state unit releases ULB poll manifesto

State govt orders major reshuffle of bureaucrats

Correspondent

KO H I M A , JA N 2 1 (NPN): Citizens of Wokha district have expressed anguish over disconnecting data services by the state government for the last four days and demanded the service to be restored immediately. Lotha Hoho general secretary, Mhondamo Ovung, told Nagaland Post that the state government was violating the Indian constitution by curbing the fundamental rights (freedom of speech and expression) of the people of Wokha district by isolating the citizens from the outside world. After violence broke out in Phek district, 144Crpc was imposed and data services was disconnected to maintain law and order situation, but why it has to be disconnected in

Wokha when the situation was peaceful, Ovung questioned. Also, a young entrepreneur from Wokha town, who runs an Internet Café, questioned the state government as to why the people of Wokha district should suffer without any convincing reason. Mhondamo Ovung said state gover nment should not impose the same treatment on the Lothas when some violence or incident took place in other districts. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Wokha, Wezope Kenya said the data services were disconnected from the district apprehending volatile situation in the district. H oweve r, D C i n formed that he has written to the state government to restore the connection soon.

D I M A P U R , JA N 2 1 (NPN): Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has appealed to the state government to postpone the urban local bodies (ULB) elections “for the one more time and take heed to the voice of the people.” CNTC through its media cell also appealed to the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) to withdraw their case, which was still pending in the Supreme Court, and to trash out whatever differences that arose and was confronting different parties with regard to the reservation issue. CNTC pointed out that the joint co-ordination committee (JCC) was formed with its endorsement on January 4, 2017 comprising of Aos, Lothas and Sumis to deal with the ULB issue and was further joined by the Angami, Chakhesang and ENPO tribes under the umbrella

Visasolie Lhoungu addressing the BJP’s election campaign rally.

K Y M C

The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) at its emergency meeting on January 21 has resolved to strongly oppose the government’s decision to distribute voters’ identification slip on January 23, 2017. In a press release, the JCC described the government’s “decision” as “undemocratic process and a direct confrontation with the voice of the people.” Pointing out that it had been protesting the proposed ULB election 2017 process through democratic means, JCC said government should not “test the patience and the maturity” exercised by the civil society organisations. As resolved at a joint meeting on January 2, the Joint Coordination Committee has directed the GBs, colony chairmen, DUCCF and general public not to accept the voters slip. Further, JCC appealed to all the PLOs not to forcefully impose the ULB election process as the same was detrimental to the legitimate rights of the Nagas in general.

D imapur , J an 2 1 (NPN): In a lengthy rejoinder to the stand of various apex tribe over the issue of NM Act and 33% women reservation, the Legal Cell of the NPF asked why would its government ever take a decision (like holding civic polls) that would weaken Article 371A when in 1964, the cock party’s 12 members resigned in 1964 to pave way for talks between NNC/ FGN and government of India and in 1998 did not participate in the 1998 assembly election to pave way for political negotiation between NSCN(I-M) with the government of India?. NPF Legal Cell through its convenor Achumbemo Kikon said NPF had constituted a committee to study entire aspect of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and made suggestions to its government for making some amendments. The Cell also said the government had also received some suggestions from Naga civil societies for amendments. The Cell said the government took various suggestions as received from Naga civil societies which were incorporated in the amendment by the state assembly as Nagaland Municipal (Third Amendment)

Act 2016. The Legal Cell asserted that through the comparative analysis it would clear that the misapprehensions of the people over the Municipal Act (Third Amendment) 2016 since the powers of the municipalities on levying tax on land and buildings have been “omitted by the 3rd Amendment” and curbed by the state government “to a large extent”. Thus, said NPF Legal Cell, there was no truth to speculations that everything would be taxed once the town and municipal council elects were allowed. To illustrate the point, the Legal Cell cited the collection of parking tax by KMC and DMC in town parking areas but that these tax collectors don’t intrude into private homes to collect vehicle parking tax. On the issue of women reservation, NPF Legal Cell maintained that it was as per the Indian constitution under Article 243T Clause(3) and over which the women leaders of NMA-JAC had taken the state to court which passed a judgment in favour of 33% women reservation. Despite the government’s efforts to settle the reservation issue amicably, Legal Cell said the women group were adamant and took the matter to the Supreme Court

upon which, the Court “questioned the provisions contained in Art.371A in relation to women reservation in the ULBs under Art.243T of Party IXA of the Indian constitution”. Apprehending that the court could interpret the Article 371A according to their whims and fancies, NPF Legal Cell said the government, was compelled to salvage it by going ahead with ULB election with 33% women reservation. Further the Cell felt that since elections have been called, the women group should also withdraw their case pending in the Supreme Court to “avoid any wrong interpretation of Art.371A.” The Legal Cell also maintained that the government had opted to implement Art.243T to put impetus on Art.371A by also empowerment of women as village GBs and VCM as per the Nagaland Village Council Act 1978. The NPF Legal Cell provided its comparative chart between the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and the Third Amendment passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on November 24, 2016 and later given assent by the Governor on November 28, 2016. (Table on p-8)

Citizens of Wokha demand CNTC appeals govt. to postpone polls NPF reacts to NPCC statements restoration of data service

This is it!

“Daddy, you always advice me to be hard working but I hardly see you working.”

JCC objects to voter slip distribution

NPF justifies stand on NM Act

DIMAPUR, JAN 21 (NPN): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nagaland unit, which launched its campaign for the ensuing urban local bodies (ULB) election on January 18 last, has started visiting wards and canvassing for votes along with the candidates on the party’s manifestoes and programmes. In a press release, BJP Nagaland general secretary (media) and spokesperson,

Jaangsillung Gonmei, said the party has released 10point manifesto for the statewide municipal and town councils election 2017. The manifesto that listed out a series of schemes has promised to maintain price control of essential commodities, ensure sanitation, effective drainage system, ensure regular supply of public distribution system (PDS) items; clean drinking water infrastructure, urinal

sheds in cities and towns, build market sheds and car parking space, build tribal boys and girls students hostels, build footsteps in hilly cities and towns and ensure transparent and corrupt free government. Assuring to fulfil and enhance “these most demanding and immediate necessities”, the BJP Nagaland has appealed to the people to support and cast their votes for the party can-

didates overwhelmingly. According to Gonmei, the BJP state unit president, Visasolie Lhoungu, has directed party workers, party candidates and supporters to focus on election campaigns and strategies in order to come out successful. Visasolie has also directed party workers, candidates and supporters to restrain from participating in any anti-election protest meetings or rallies. Further, BJP Nagaland has appealed to the civil society organisations to refrain from causing anymore pressures on the municipal candidates. Meanwhile, the state BJP unit has clarified that since election campaigns were filled with rhetoric, the content of speeches by several individuals should not be interpreted as the party’s organisational policy statements.

D I M A P U R , JA N 2 1 (NPN): In a major bureaucratic reshuffle barely ten days before the scheduled elections to the urban and local bodies on February 1, 2017 the state government has through a notification on Saturday issued by under secretary P&AR Neikeduolie ordered the transfer and of the following 51 officers on January 21,2017. The notable change was effected with the relieving of Temjen Toy, IAS additional chief secretary to chief minister and Finance commissioner of the charge of additional chief secretary to CM and posting of I. Himato Zhimomi, commr and secretary W&H with additional charge as commr. secy. to CM.

DIMAPUR, JAN 21 (NPN): Drawing attention to the statements of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), hitting out at NPF and BJP allies on the issue of fielding candidates for the civic body elections, NPF media & press bureau has issued a clarification. NPF said elections to the ULBs in Nagaland were unduly delayed and that the government took the decision to hold the polls after having made every possible effort to erase any doubt, whatsoever, confronting the citizens. It was made amply clear that the decision to hold the elections was all for the betterment of the people and the state, it said. Surprisingly, NPF said, NPCC had been left with no agenda of value to present to the people, other than to beat around in frustration, targeting the NPF-led DAN government and also accusing the NPF and BJP for taking

part in the ULB elections. NPF also hit out at NPCC leaders-- K.L. Chishi, former CM and convener selection committee for ULB election Dimapur unit and NPCC president K. Therie, saying their statements published in the media were conflicting and contradictory to each other. While Chishi was quoted to have said that all four Congress candidates who filed nominations for DMC withdrew their candidatures, to respect the will of the people, NPF said K. Therie, had on January 20 appealed to all urban voters to vote for the “few braveheart Congress nominees” and Independent candidates left in the ULB elections. Having failed to garner any tangible support of the electorate to contest the ULB polls, NPF said NPCC in its attempt to mislead the public for political gain has made a laughing stock of themselves in the eyes of the people.

Shutter-down at Wokha town on Jan 23 D I M A P U R , JA N 2 1 (NPN): Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee (LHJAC) during a meeting on January 21 at town hall, Wokha has decided that there would be shutter down in Wokha town on January 23, 2017. In a press release, Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee convenor, R. Nchumbemo Ezung and member secretary, James Tungoe, however, stated that public and vehicular traffic movement would not be restricted. Further, the committee stated that at Saturday’s meeting, the candidates for Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election from Longsa and Wokha villages had given their assurance not to contest the forthcoming election slated to be held from February 1.

The signatories said that all contending candidates would consult with respective wards and offer mass resignation. At the meeting, it also firmly decided that not a single postal ballot paper vote/election duty certificate (EDC) would be cast. In the event postal ballot paper vote/EDC was cast by any individual, the LH joint action committee has cautioned to take stern action on the defaulting party. It may be mentioned that in Wokha village, there are 12 candidates (4 BJP, 7 NPF, 1 Independent) and 4 candidates (3 BJP and 1 NPF) in Longsa village. Maintaining that all have decided to go in for mass resignation, the Lotha Hoho said, “therefore, nil candidates in Wokha.” K Y M C


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January 22, 2017 by Nagaland Post - Issuu