July 7, 2017

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 211

DIMAPUR, friday, july 7, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Manipur govt to distribute rice seedlings to farmers

SL beat Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in 3rd ODI

US warns N Korea of using military force

northeast, Page 4

sports, Page 11

international, Page 9

China border tension escalates Naga Political solution close-by: Ravi India, China carries

Correspondent

KOHIMA, JUL 6 (NPN): Interlocutor for Naga peace talks and Joint Intelligence Committee chairman, R.N. Ravi on Thursday said that the solution to the protracted Naga political issue is closeby. “We are close towards solution and bringing the framework agreement to a conclusion,” Ravi said. In this regard, Ravi said he had come to Nagaland “to hold one more round of consultations” with the civil societies. He also called on Nagaland chief minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu at the latter’s official residence. Ravi, who is on a threeday visit to Nagaland, will be holding consultative meetings with various stakeholders on the Naga issue at Kohima and Dimapur. In a brief interaction with media persons outside hotel de Oriental Grand, Kohima on Thursday evening, Ravi said he “had come to consult the civil societies, hear their views and suggestions and said he will take back the suggestions”. He however refused to comment on the time frame for the final solution. When asked about the statement made

AK Joti takes over as new CEC

Achal Kumar Joti

New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI): Achal Kumar Joti Thursday took charge as the 21st Chief Election Commissioner and said the poll panel will vigorously pursue its commitment to hold free, fair, inclusive and credible elections. He also said that the mission of ‘no voter is left behind’ will continue to be his priority even as focus area will be to actively promote e-governance for holding state and Lok Sabha elections. The 64-year-old Joti, who was the chief secretary of Gujarat when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister, took over as the head of the Election Commission after Nasim Zaidi demitted office yesterday. Joti, a 1975-batch IAS officer, had joined the three-member poll panel as an election commissioner on May 8, 2015 and would be in office till January 17 next year.

This is it!

“For bootleggers like us, GST is a boon. Our profits will soar three times.” K Y M C

R.N. Ravi in Kohima. (NP)

by one Central government official that India would ask Myanmar government to snap the cease-fire agreement with the NSCN (K), Ravi rubbished the statement and termed it as “nonsense.” On Thursday, Ravi met at least six civil societies at the hotel. When contacted, NSF president Chirstopher Ltu informed Nagaland Post that the NSF members met RN Ravi and reiterated its earlier stand for “a logical solution, in line with the appeal for an honourable and acceptable solution at the earliest.” The repeated request by media persons for a formal interaction with the Interlocutor was turned down. When contacted, Home department officials said Ravi

refused to include “interaction with media” in the list. Meanwhile, a source closely associated with the affairs of the state told Times of India that-- “The problem of Nagaland is not of just one faction but of all the people. The centre believes that piecemeal solution will not work and all stakeholders must be taken on board. Ravi’s visit confirms centre’s decision to make the talks all inclusive, though this decision should have been taken long back.” “Ravi’s coming to Nagaland signifies that Centre is in hurry to resolve the Naga issue. People of Nagaland are fed up with violence and everyone wants an end to it and a solution for Nagas of Nagaland,” the source said. TOI reported that the two decades old peace process between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) for the elusive Naga settlement stands at the threshold of a new beginning as Nagas of Nagaland await the Centre’s approval to involve all stakeholders in the state, including NSCN(K), in the process instead of trying to sign the peace agreement with just one of party.

WAPO backs inclusive solution

Western Angami Public Organisation (WAPO) has maintained that Nagas are proud of their struggle, as it was not an act of secession that “unlawfully or treasonously violated some agreement or understanding made to be part of new independent India” or neither anti- India movement, but a goal to choose their future on the basis of their historical and political right, as had been made abundantly clear to the British Simon Commission in 1929. This was contained in a representation submitted to Centre’s Interlocutor for Naga talks R.N. Ravi by WAPO president Lhuphrevilie Rino. WAPO said when Nagas say they are not Indians nor their territory a part of Indian Union, it meant they were only reaffirming their political stand of their forefathers made “unequivocally before the Simon Commission.” Rino said a few years ago, WAPO had also resolved to reaffirm the 1951 Naga Plebiscite at all cost and by democratic and nonviolent means. Therefore, no Naga political movement “can become unique

or historical if the plebiscite of 1951 is to be subtracted” since it was the only mandated stand of Nagas till date, said WAPO. WAPO took the stand that presently, not a single Naga national political faction of Nagaland, represented the Nagas as a community and people. Therefore, any factional and piece meal settlement that is not broad based not inclusive of all Major Naga National Political Groups “is extremely dangerous and not acceptable to the Nagas in any way”,warned WAPO. In view of the above, WAPO informed Ravi that it was decided not to be a party to any such piecemeal settlement and declares that whosoever ventured to be part of such would be exclusively responsible “if any bloodshed takes place out of the consequences of such halfbaked factional settlement.” WAPO reminded that Nagas bore a heavy price due of fratricidal killings, confusion and division because of such settlements in the past due to questionable antecedents which should not be repeated again.

out military drill in Tibet

BEIJING/NEW DELHI, JUL 6 (AGENCIES): The row between India and China over disputed territory in the tri-border region shared with Bhutan has escalated the regional tensions, with the two sides issuing threats to one another and Beijing warning that New Delhi must withdraw its troops from the contested Himalayan section of land as a precondition for peace. India on the other hand also stated that the tensions can be resolved diplomatically and asked China to withdraw its troops to reduce tension Adding up to the tension, the Chinese Army carried out a military exercise on the Tibet plateau, deploying tanks and conducting live firing at a height of 5,100 metres for the first time, amid a standoff with Indian forces near Nathu La in the Sikkim sector that has taken bilateral ties to a new low. According to Hindustan Times, the drill, which also involved the testing of

Tanks from a combined brigade of the PLA during an exercise in Tibet. (China Military Online)

new equipment, was conducted to evaluate the battlereadiness of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops at altitudes of 15,000 feet and above, official Xinhua news agency reported. The exercise assessed “battlefield environment analysis, combat operations, synergies that need to be developed during battle”, and also featured live fire shooting training and the testing of integration of military operations, the report in Chinese said. The report added that the hierarchy of the PLA, the world’s largest armed forces, wanted to test how the personnel and equipment fared in freezing altitudes and “complex weather patterns”. Complex battle situations were simulated and troops were made to

react to changing on-ground situations rapidly. However, a report on the Guancha website said the tanks — called Xinqingtan in Chinese — were rolled out in an area of Tibet near the Indian border, and that Beijing was increasing its military buildup in the region as “a show of force designed to deter the Indian military”. There were reports that Prime Minister Modi and President Xi may meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit to resolve the standoff. Soldiers from both sides of the border are awaiting instructions, which are likely to come after the Modi-Xi meet and the local commanders level meeting, which is also expected to happen soon, according to The New Indian Express.

Customers should report fraud No-detention policy to go from next academic session 36-hour KA bandh begins in 3 days to avoid losses: RBI New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI): Customers will not suffer any loss if unauthorised electronic banking transactions are reported within three days and the amount involved will be credited in the accounts concerned within 10 days, the RBI said Thursday. In case the third party fraud is reported with a delay of four to seven working days, a customer will face liability of up to Rs 25,000. However, in cases where the loss is due to negligence by the account holder (such as sharing of payment credentials), the customer will bear the entire loss until the unauthorised transaction is reported to the bank. Any loss occurring after reporting of the unauthorised transaction will be borne by the bank, RBI said while issuing revised direc-

tions on ‘Customer Protection – Limiting Liability of Customers in Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions’. There will be “zero liability of a customer” in case of third party breach where the deficiency lies “neither with the bank nor with the customer but lies elsewhere in the system”. However, the customer will have to notify the bank within three working days of receiving the communication from the bank regarding the unauthorised transaction. A customer’s entitlement to zero liability will also arise where the unauthorised transaction occurs due to contributory fraud/negligence/deficiency on the part of the bank (irrespective of whether or not the transaction is reported by the customer)”, RBI said.

Aga rtala , J ul 6 (IANS): Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Mahendra Nath Pandey on Thursday said the no-detention policy will be removed from the next academic session as almost all states are opposed to this policy. “No-detention policy will be removed from next academic session as almost all states have expressed their concern over the falling quality of education since the introduction of policy under the Right to Education Act,” he told reporters here. Under the no-detention policy, students in schools are promoted automatically to higher classes every year till the eighth grade. After a two-day visit to the northeastern state of Tripura, the minister who is in charge of higher education said: “There is a

unanimous view of almost all states across the country to remove the no-detention policy from the Right to Education Act.” No-detention policy was statutorily introduced through the historic Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act). A key component of the Right To Education (RTE) Act, the no-detention policy unveiled by the previous UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government, came into force on April 1, 2010, with the intention of ensuring that every child aged between six and 14 received school education. However, for the past many years, concerns have been raised about the negative impact of the policy on the academic performance of students. On the demand of the Tripura government

for one-time relaxation in qualifying marks and exemption of professional qualification for recruiting 15,436 government teachers, Pandey said his ministry had nothing to do with the state government plea, as the Supreme Court had already passed a final judgment on it. He said that a probe was going on into the massive irregularities in the Tripura University, a central varsity. “We had already received huge complaints on the wrong-doings in the University. During my visit to the state, I have also received many complaints against the institutions. After receiving the reports of the ongoing inquiry, suitable steps will be taken,” he added. Teaching and nonteaching staff of the Tripura University have been agitating for several months

against alleged irregularities in the central varsity. The Tripura assembly also recently unanimously adopted a resolution, urging the HRD Ministry to take action on the complaints. The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently directed a special audit of the university to check complaints of financial, administrative and academic irregularities. The UGC order follows an HRD Ministry directive. Pa n d e y s a i d t h a t Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to transform 20 universities into world class universities. “We all are working in this direction,” he added. Appreciating the performance of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala, he said the HRD Ministry would extend full support to further upgrade it.

No disqualification for not voting Wreckage of missing IAF chopper, in Presidential elections, says ECI bodies recovered in Arunachal NEW DELHI, JUL 6 (IANS): Members of the electoral college who abstain from voting or vote against party line in the July 17 presidential poll are not liable for disqualification for defection, the Election Commission (EC) clarified on Thursday. Political parties cannot issue whip to their members to be compulsorily present for the voting or to vote for a certain candidate, the poll panel said and cited two Supreme Court judgements (Kuldip Nayar vs Union of India, 2006, and Pashupati Nath Sukul vs Nem Chandra Jain, 1984) to buttress its observation. “Accordingly, in the commission’s opinion, not voting or voting as per his/ her own free will in the presidential election will not come within the ambit of

disqualification under the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution and electors are at liberty to vote or not to vote as per their own free will and choice,” an EC statement said. The commission said it would like to clarify that voting for the office of President of India is not compulsory, like voting in elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, where also there is no compulsion to vote. It said as per Section 171A(b) of the Indian Penal Code, every elector in the presidential election has the freedom of making a choice to vote for any candidate or not to vote at all, as per his/ her free will and choice. “This will equally apply to the political parties. They are free to canvas or seek votes of electors for any candidate or request or appeal to

them to refrain from voting. However, the parties cannot issue any direction or whip to their members to vote in a particular manner or not to vote in the election to leave them with no choice, as that would tantamount to offence of undue influence within the meaning of Section 171C of the IPC,” the EC said. The poll panel observed that voting in the presidential election is different from voting by a Member of Parliament or MLA inside the House and thus would not attract the penal provisions of the Tenth Schedule for having so voted. “The electors in the presidential election as member of the said electoral college and the voting at such election is outside the House concerned and not a part of the proceeding of the House,” the EC observed.

Correspondent

ITANAGAR, JUL 6: The wreckage of the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter that crashed in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday and the bodies of four personnel who were on board the chopper have been recovered, the IAF said on Thursday. IAF on Thursday ordered a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the helicopter crashed in Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare district. The wreckage and the bodies were found on Wednesday in Sopho Yuha, near Hostallam village, about 30 km from Itanagar. IGP (Law and Order), Nabin Payeng told this Correspondent that “two of the bodies are identifiable but the other two were charred beyond recognition.”

The remains of the ill-fated IAF helicopter. (HT Photo)

Wing Commander M.S. Dhillon, Flight Lieutenant P.K. Singh, Flight Engineer Sergeant Gujjar and Indian Reserve Battalion member Nada Umbing had boarded the helicopter from Pilputu Helipad near Sagalee on Tuesday. A defence statement said Arunachal Pradesh Police team spotted the wreckage of the helicopter on Wednesday evening

during the search by joint rescue teams of Army, the National Disaster Response Force, police and the Indian Air Force. On Thursday morning, rescue parties comprising IAF’s Garud commandos and a medical team, Army, NDRF were able to reach the crash site along with the Arunachal Pradesh Police team that had sighted the wreckage.

Correspondent

DIPHU, JUL 6: Normal life in both East and West Kabri Anglong Autonomous Council administered areas was thrown out of gear as the 36-hour Karbi Anglong shutdown called by 24 civil society organizations and student bodies commenced Thursday from 5 a.m. The demand of the organizations was withdrawal of Village Development Council in tribal areas, stating that it was incompatible due to the prevalence of traditional village council. Except Deputy Commissioner’s offices at Hamren and Diphu, most of the government offices, schools and colleges remained close. Vehicular movement along the national highways 39 and 37 remained normal, however in town areas, only some few private vehicles were seen on the road. No untoward incident has been reported till filling of this report. Security has been beefed up in all the sensitive areas.

Bye-poll: DEO Kohima informs

DIMAPUR, JUL 6 (NPN): With the Model Code of Conduct in force, for the upcoming bye-election to 10-Nor ther n Angami-I A/C, DEO Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan has banned carrying of cash exceeding Rs.50,000 by political parties, candidates and party workers. DEO also cautioned that carrying posters or election materials or any drugs, liquor, arms or gift items valued more than Rs. 10,000 and likely to be used for inducement of electors shall also be subjected to seizure. Further, public carrying cash exceeding Rs. 50,000 has been asked to carry documentary proofs with them to substantiate the source and purpose of the money. K Y M C


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.