January 29, 2017

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 53

DIMAPUR,sunday, january 29, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

50 years of Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo Youth Ministry

Serena wins record 23rd Grand Slam

Cut indirect tax rates, not direct ones: Chidambaram

Sunday Post Supplement

sports, Page 12

business, Page 8

State-wide bandh evokes spontaneous response

Dimapur

Chumukedima

Kohima

Mokokchung

(L-R) Volunteers in Dimapur barricade a road to prevent polling officials’ training; Chumukedima volunteers block the highway with boulders; heart of Kohima town wears a deserted look and volunteers of Mokokchung keep vigil.

Zunheboto

Phek

Kiphire

Wokha

(L-R) ZTYO volunteers (at the background) enforcing the bandh in Zunheboto; Phek town and Kiphire town wear a deserted look during the bandh and Lotha public at the general meeting of the Lotha Hoho at Wokha on Saturday. (NP)

Staff Reporters/Correspondents

D I M A P U R / K o h ima / Mokokchung/Zunheboto/WOKHA/KIPHIRE, Jan 28 (NPN): Entire Nagaland came to a grinding halt on Saturday,January 28 during the day-long statewide bandh called by all apex tribe organisations in several districts. The bandh will resume on January 30 and continue up to February 1, the latter date being scheduled for polling. The state government has rejected outright the appeals by various tribe organisations to defer the elections in order to resolve certain aspects of the Nagaland Municipal Act including 33% women reservation. Dimapur: In Dimapur and nearby areas of Chumumedima, bandh was total and complete with no untoward incident reports. Some over zealous volunteers however harassed media persons despite being exempt from the purview of the bandh . The issue was also flagged to the Nagaland Press Association, CNTC and JCC to ensure that no media persons on duty

Gov condoles

DIMAPUR, JAN 28 (NPN): Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya has expressed grief over the demise of KT Thomas, director Tourism. In a condolence message, Acharya said not only the department but people of Nagaland have lost a sincere, dedicated and disciplined officer with vast experience. Governor said the department under able stewardship of late Thomas made significant progress in all fronts, enabling the state to figure in International tourism map. Conveying condolences to the family members, he prayed that Almighty grant them strength to overcome the grief and departed soul to rest in peace.

This is it!

“Booth capturing or bandhs, what does it matter to us?That’s where our expertise is in demand.” K Y M C

covering their event should be harassed in any manner. Police personnel in anti-riot gear were also stationed in all locations. Vehicular movement remained minimal during the bandh. The training programme for returning officers scheduled on Saturday at Dimapur Government College was abandoned as a large number of volunteers occupied the college entrance and prevented entry by erecting barricades. Women volunteers were also seen in most of the places. Passengers travelling by trains and planes were stranded. Hundreds of train passengers had either remain within or walk with luggage as there were no autos or taxis. Those travelling by bus from Guwahati, Shillong, Mon, Tuensang etc had to get down at New Field Check Gate and waited till the bandh was lifted. There were no reports of confrontation between police personnel and the volunteers. Medziphema/Chumukedima: Volunteers in Medziphema town said the bandh was peaceful with people’s cooperation. Some

food stalls in the vicinity were kept open to cater to the needs of travellers and volunteers. The three major gates at Chümoukedima town were also heavily guarded by volunteers from the town and neighbouring villages. A leader of the volunteers said the bandh was being held peacefully and that the public was cooperating by staying indoors. Transport vehicles numbering close to 500 carrying goods and other essential commodities on their way to Kohima and Imphal were stranded all the way from Lahorijan to Khatkhati in neighbouring Assam. Kohima: Despite nil candidates from the Angami community for the civic body polls under Kohima district, the Angami Public Organization (APO) had responded to the call of other tribe bodies to impose the bandh state-wide on January 28. The bandh enforced by the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) along with NAYO, CYO, SAYO and WAYO, in Kohima district was successful with no untoward incidents. Normal life came to a standstill in Kohima as

all offices, business houses and schools remained closed. Further, AYO president Neinguvotuo Krose and general secretary Kekhrie Pfukha, in a press note, informed that there would be no further bandh under Kohima Municipal, Medziphema Town and Chumukedima Town Council areas till further notice. However, AYO said the bandh would be resumed in Medziphema/Chumukedima areas under Dimapur district depending on the situation in areas under DMC and East Dimapur Town Council. AYO said its volunteers were ready not just morally but physically to assist other fellow Naga tribe in any district if called for. Mokokchung: The bandh call imposed by the Ao Senden across Mokokchung district from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. passed off peacefully. In Mokokchung town, the streets wore a deserted look with vehicular movement restricted, while shops, offices and institutions remained closed for the day. Volunteers both young and old were stationed at strategic locations across the

town. After the bandh ended, the Senden officials held a meeting and resolved to relax the bandh on January 29 being a Sunday. It was also informed that the bandh would be relaxed on Monday, since the Senden officials would be “engaged with very important matters related to the municipal elections”. Zunheboto: The bandh imposed by Sumi Hoho passed off peacefully with no reports of any untoward incidents. Zunheboto Town Youth Organisation (ZTYO) members along with youths from neighbouring villages maintained vigil in all the strategic locations within the town. Vehicular and pedestrian movements were restricted while all educational institutions, shops and offices remained closed during the bandh from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meanwhile, the bandh enforcement cell of ZTYO has informed all business establishments to open on Sunday after the devotional service (12 p.m.) to allow citizens to buy essential commodities. ZTYO has further informed that the bandh would

resume on Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meanwhile, ZTYO has warned bloggers not to spread false information with regards to the ongoing bandh in Zunheboto. Speaking to this correspondent, Sumi Hoho general secretary Vihuto Asumi said they will be meeting the intending candidates for Zunheboto Town Council for the last time on Sunday to seek their withdrawal. “Personal and selfish interest should not belittle tribal interests,” Asumi said. SH was prepared to face any consequences in the days leading to the date of the polls. He further informed that more volunteers would be called in from areas and ranges falling under Zunheboto district if the situation demanded. Kiphire: All 18 candidates for the Kiphire Town Council polls have decided to back-out from contesting the February 1 elections. Talking to this Correspondent, ULSP secretary, Chorise Sangtam informed that the candidates on Saturday willingly signed an undertaking not to contest the polls taking note

of the appeal made by Naga apex bodies. This was also made known to the Returning Officer in a letter by Kiphire District Joint Coordination Committee (KDJCC) signed by USLP vice president, K. Tsilise Sangtam; TTC president, Topan K and KDGBA president, Sepithong. Meanwhile, the bandh called at Kiphire under the banner of KDJCC comprising of USLP, Tikhir Tribal Council and Kiphire District GB’s Association was peaceful. KDJCC said its volunteers would continue to keep strict vigil till February 1, scheduled polling day. KDJCC also acknowledged the decision of all candidates of KTC for their cooperation and sacrifice Wokha: In Wokha, all commercial activities came to a halt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., during which the Lotha Hoho along with the Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee (LHJAC) held a “General Meeting cum Car Rally” at Local ground, Wokha and reaffirmed to stand by the January 8 resolution.

Will take measures to withdraw SLP, says JACWR NPA, DPC condemn

DIMAPUR, JAN 28 (NPN): After having received an “assurance letter” from chief minister, T.R. Zeliang on January 28, that the civic polls would be held as scheduled on February1, the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) convenor Abeiu Meru and co-convenor Dr. Rosemary Dzuvichu on Saturday informed that the committee has decided “to take up necessary mea-

sures to withdraw the Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court of India.” JACWR said the decision was also made after taking due cognisance of appeals by various Naga organisations and in the interest of peace in the society. According to JACWR, the petitioners will leave for Delhi for necessary legal preparation to withdraw the SLP, before the elections.

In this regard, JACWR has appealed to all organisations to allow the democratic process of a free and fair election in the state without any hindrance. The JACWR members further appealed to the state government to consider for an early second phase of polls for those towns and candidates who were unable to file/had withdrawn nominations.

APO slams U-turn by Zeliang and Shurho RGBA backs RH Correspondent

KOHIMA, JAN 28 (NPN): Angami Public Organization (APO) has asked chief minister T.R. Zeliang and NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to realize that what they supported earlier in 2012 (against 33% women reservation) and what they now favour (33% women reservation) raised questions about the integrity of their leadership. APO president Dr. Vilhousa Seleyi said this while interacting with media in his office Saturday. He said the contradictory stand of the government (2012 and 2016) showed it cannot keep its decision and cautioned that if this continued more problems and confusions would result. Dr. Seleyi said the January 27 cabinet decision ignored people’s feeling but was not a surprise. He said the present ministry in Nagaland has become so comfortable

with being “opposition-less, party-less, color-less, smellless, tasteless, five minuteless” government. When a person became “over comfortable and over confident” then it was natural that a de-generation process would begin, he said. On the JACWR assurance to withdraw SLP with a rider, the APO president wondered whether it was in the interest of the Nagas adding it was not a compromise. Dr Seleyi recalled that the government at the November consultative meeting last year did not give the tribal hoho representatives to express their views and opinions on the issue. When the government was asked about the status of the 2012 assembly resolution, he said it replied that the matter would be reviewed by the NLA. However, he said the reasons behind the revocation was not explained to the house. He also said that the

DIMAPUR, JAN 27 (NPN): Rengma GB Association (RGBA) has extended strong support to the decision of the Rengma Hoho to boycott the civic body elections, in the wake of the social unrest that had emerged out of government’s decision to impose the Municipal Election. RGBA president Kehoga Kent and secretary P. Lorin further hit out at the government for going against the will of the people. As guardian of Rengma Naga customary law, Rengma GBs asserted that it will not compromise its right at any cause and reminded that the association would continue to uphold Rengma Naga customary and traditional practices. Meanwhile, RGBA has warned all its members to remain committed to its responsibility as the guardian of the Law. Any bonafide members going against the wishes and will of the community would invite serious disciplinary action as deem fit according to our customary law, (Cont’d on p-8) RGBA stated.

2012 resolution was revoked six days after meeting with tribal hohos and spearheaded by the same people who had passed the resolution in 2012. This act had provoked and surprised the Naga leaders especially when the government ignored the ultimatum served by the Naga Hoho and ENPO. The APO president also narrated the sequence of events when the tribal hohos met with the chief minister and the cabinet on December 5,2016 for giving them six months to resolve the issue with the women leaders. Accordingly, the tribal Hohos held consultation with the women leaders on December 19,2016, when 11 tribes requested the women leaders to reconsider their stand and some even suggesting 40 to 50% nomination with voting rights if they withdrew the case from the Supreme Court. However he said the women leaders declined.

harasment of scribes

DIMAPUR, JAN 28 (NPN): Nagaland Press Association (NPA) and Dimapur Press Club (DPC) have condemned the behaviour of some bandh enforcers who intimidated and threatened the journalists covering the JCC bandh in Dimapur town on Saturday. In a press release, NPA expressed its deep shock and anguish over the “unruly behaviour” of some volunteers who reportedly passed abusive language to the media persons on duty and also threatened to their movement during the bandh. NPA has expressed hope that the responsible leadership of JCC would be able to discipline their own volunteers with sense of great responsibility and maturity. DPC also expressed dismay at the actions of some volunteers and said that journalists on duty, even after producing identify cards, were reportedly warned not to frequently cross by the main road. It said some volunteers even threatened to burn the press vehicle. In a press release, DPC president, Moa Longkumer, and general secretary, Henlly Phom, condemned the “ignorant behaviour” of volunteers who prevented journalists from performing their duties even after JCC exempted press from the bandh. DPC has appealed to the responsible organisations to ensure security of journalists on duty.

JCC apologizes for incidents

Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) in a statement, expressed sincere apology to the press/media and medical staff for the misconduct of some volunteers during the bandh. Further, JCC said it has taken serious note of some police personnel moving around freely even while not on duty. The committee has asked public as well as police personnel off-duty to honour and respect the will and aspiration of the Naga people during the bandh period. Meanwhile, JCC has also asked DMC garbage collectors to stop collection around Dimapur with effect from January 30 in view of the bandh.

(Cont’d on p-8)

NBCC call for Jan 29 prayer DIMAPUR, JAN 28 (NPN): Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has appealed to the church for dedicating Sunday, January 29, as a prayer for “our land”, for the leaders in the state government, who could deliver the right decision, and for the tribal leaders who represent people. In a press release, the NBCC expressed concern over the “unfolding ULB electoral crises” and appealed to all stakeholders to exercise restraint, patience and understanding for the larger interest of the people. It also expressed regret that desirable outcome from negotiations have not arrived. NBCC, however, appealed all to stop blaming each other as “we are all aware that by doing that we have found ourselves in the present predicament of fear and apprehension.” Further, the council said common people were anxious and yet hopeful thinking that wisdom would prevail, but that too seemed far-fetched at the moment. However, NBCC said “we have not lost our hope in God!” adding that this was a time for Christians to sincerely pray for God to intervene in the worst situation “we all can imagine.” NBCC has further called upon all to pray that God would intervene, soften the stance, mindset of all the parties who have in their hands to save the situation. K Y M C


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January 29, 2017 by Nagaland Post - Issuu