June 20, 2017

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 194

DIMAPUR, tuesday, june 20, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Britain, EU kick off ‘positive’ Brexit talks

Germany beat Australia 3-2 in Confederations Cup

20 lakh houses approved under PMAY

international, Page 9

sports, Page 12

business, Page 8

Kovind is NDA’s pick for President

NEW DELHI, JUN 19 (IANS): Springing a surprise, the BJP on Monday named Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit and a BJP leader, as the ruling NDA’s candidate for the July 17 Presidential election. “We have decided that Ram Nath Kovind will be NDA Presidential candidate,” BJP president Amit Shah said after a nearly twohour meeting here of the party’s Parliamentary Board attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leaders. “The BJP also discussed the issue with all political parties and several sections of the society. After this, a long list (of candidates) was prepared which was discussed during the Parliamentary Board meeting,” Shah told the media. Ko v i n d , 7 2 , w h o emerged as the dark horse, is likely to file the nomination on June 23, he said. If elected, he will be the second Indian President after K.R. Narayanan to hail from the Dalit community. The earlier names which were doing the rounds for Presidency included External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Presidential Poll

NPCC appeals MPs, MLAs to vote consciously DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has appealed to all the MLAs and MPs from Nagaland to vote consciously in the upcoming presidential election. In a press release, NPCC president, K. Therie, said MPs and MLAs of Nagaland were aware that the people were not happy with BJP government at the centre. “We must send a message to BJP that we do not approve the promotion of anti-Christian activities,” Therie said. NPCC president maintained that Nagaland people did not approve demolition of Churches across the nation, forced reconversions (Gharwapsi), demeaning Christian worshiping days, anti-Romeo vigilantes, cow vigilantes and cattle ban. Pointing out that presidential election was not a party policy and the Constitution of India has provided freedom of choice in the elections, Therie said the NPCC therefore expect them to represent the inner minds and prayer of the people of the state.

This is it!

“I agree with you about development for Nagaland. But 14 years show only potholed road, power cuts...” K Y M C

While all NDA allies have been informed of the BJP choice, Prime Minister Modi talked to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh and other leaders about the NDA choice, BJP President said. Modi also spoke with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Telangana chief minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu spoke to party veterans L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. “Ram Nath comes from a Dalit family and has strug-

gled a lot. We hope he will be the unanimous candidate for the election,” Shah said.

Oppn parties to decide on consensus nominee

Opposition parties will meet on June 22 to decide on fielding a consensus candidate for the presidential election, with the NDA declaring Bihar Governor Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal today said-“The parties will meet and decide whether or not to field a consensus opposition candidate for the July 17 presidential election,” he said. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the BJP “unilaterally” se-

lected Kovind and the nonNDA parties will take the decision “keeping in mind the country’s history that the ruling and opposition parties contested the polls on all occasion except once”. CPI national secretary D Raja-- “Now, they have named a person with RSS background. We are against it, but we will have to discuss the issue within the CPI and with other opposition parties. A meeting will be held soon to discuss the same,” he said. AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad said the non-NDA parties will discuss the issue before taking any step. Sena smells vote-bank politics: NDA constituents barring the Shiv Sena today welcomed the nomination of Ram Nath Kovind for the president’s post. With both the names suggested by it -- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and noted agriculturist M S Swaminathan -- rejected, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said the Dalit candidate was chosen merely for vote-bank politics. The Sena will take a final decision tomorrow regarding its support to 71year-old Kovind, who is the governor of Bihar.

Gov meets HM over rampant extortions DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): Nagaland governor P.B. Acharya called on Union home minister Rajnath Singh at New Delhi on June 19 and Interlocutor for Naga talks R.N. Ravi. According to Governor’s PRO, Acharya expressed serious concern over extortion demand by various outfits in the state and the recent newspaper reports which compelled contractors to stop the work on four-lane project. In his talks with the Rajnath Singh, Acharya said the project would be affected if construction works were not resumed immediately. He said with monsoon already set in, the stoppage of work will not only be an “embarrassment but will affect supply of essential commodities also.” According to PRO, Rajnath Singh expressed concern and also viewed the matter very seriously. Meanwhile, Acharya was also briefed on the current scenario on Naga peace talks by R.N. Ravi, when the former called him at Nagaland House. In the meeting Acharya said there was need of all stakeholders to come together for an amicable settlement.

Mao CSOs rake up Dzuko issue with Manipur CM; allege encroachment

Mao civil society organizations during the meeting with Manipur chief minister on Monday. (NP) Correspondent

IMPHAL, JUN 19: Apex Mao civil society organizations (CSOs) of Manipur Monday called on chief minister, N. Biren Singh in Imphal seeking immediate intervention over alleged encroachment of Dzuko valley from Nagaland side. The delegation of Mao civil societies-- Mao Council, Mao Union, Mao Students Union, Mao Women Welfare Association, KDLBR among others met Biren Singh on Monday evening wherein the latter assured to take up the matter with the Nagaland government and

Government of India with all seriousness saying he would not allow the rights of Mao people to be infringed upon by anyone. During the meeting, the delegation specifically brought up the June 6 incident in which they said trekkers from Manipur at Dzuko Valley were allegedly harassed by neighbouring villagers. The delegation also brought up the matter of non-functioning of SDO office in Mao and suggested to lodge a complaint with the appropriate authorities of Nagaland government as well as Government of India.

They also urged the chief minister to construct a motorable road upto Dzuko valley and to setup a police station. The Mao civil society organizations also asked the CM to construct marketing shed for women vendors, helipad and guest house for tourism purposes. The chief minister assured that immediate action would be taken to construct the proposed guest house, helipad and approach road to Dzuko Valley from Manipur side, opening of police station as well as composite check post at Mao.

PWD (NH) responds to WSSU, Centre asks states update NSCN (I-M) warns against unauthorized schemes says sanction awaited data on toilets in ODF villages DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): Nagaland PWD (National Highways) has responded to the Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU)’s ultimatum served on the state chief minister over the deplorable condition of the roads in Dimapur. In a press release, PWD (NH) chief engineer, R Temsu Temjen, stated that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH) has accorded sanction for improvement of city portion of Dimapur (NH-29 & NH-129) from Nagaland Gate (Golaghat Road) to Patkai Bridge (via Tragopan Jn- Zion Hospital Jn- Purana Bazar-Chumukedima) for a total length of 17.30km The chief engineer stated that Nagaland PWD (NH) has been entrusted to execute the work on Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. Disclosing that national bids for the work were invited by the State PWD (NH), the chief engineer said final approval and sanction pertaining to the tender bids was expected from the MoRTH within a few days. Once the sanction and approval was received from the ministry, the chief engineer said the state PWD would take over the particular stretch of road from the BRO and the work would be awarded for execution. In the light of the above, the chief engineer has appealed to all responsible to be patient and bear with the inconveniences till the time the work took off.

NEW DELHI, JUN 19 (AGENCIES): In one-fourth of nearly two lakh villages, which have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), all houses don’t have toilets, according to the integrated data that Centre maintains. Finding this difference, the drinking water and sanitation ministry has asked states to update the data in the system so that there is no mismatch. Villages can become open defecation free only when each household has individual latrine. The government has given top priority to end open defecation across the country by October 2019 as a part of its flagship Swachh Bharat initiative. In a recent communication to states, the sanitation ministry has said that 33% of the total 6,05,828 villages have been declared as ODF. “Out of the 2,00,959 villages, 52,593 villages do not have 100% coverage reflecting on the

IMIS (Integrated Management Information System)...you are requested to instruct district officials to ensure entries of 100% coverage in ODF villages in IMIS,” the ministry’s letter said. The states have been asked to complete this work before this month end. IMIS allows any management team undertaking a particular task to create one system for effective and efficient delivery of the objective. The detailed statement, which the ministry has shared with the state governments based on the IMIS data, mentions that nearly 41 lakh households in the 52,593 identified villages don’t have individual latrines. “ The government data must match with the ground reality. Panchayats and social leaders are taking huge interest to push toilet construction and their use, which is resulting in more and more villages become ODF,” an official said.

DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) has issued a stern warning against unauthenticated schemes floated in the name of “special team” intimidating general public by imposing fines in the guise of checking anti-social activities in Dimapur. In this regard, secretary, kilo affairs of NSCN (I-M), Daniel Lotha has informed the general public that there was no such special team in the NSCN/GPRN. The

secretary has also warned against hiking the labour work permit card registration fee which has been fixed at Rs. 150. It informed that strict action will be initiated against any official/staff of kilo affairs or authorised persons found charging above the fixed registration fee. Public have been asked to contact 9436971965 and 9856071655 for clarification and necessary steps.

Organizations condemn sexual assault on minors DIMAPUR, JUN 19 (NPN): Various organizations have condemned the sexual assault on two minor girls on June 15 morning at Tuensang town. ENWO: Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) vehemently condemned the rising incidence of heinous crimes against women and girls in the state. A press note issued ENWO press & info secretary, Maipo Wallim stated that the recent alleged rape and sexual torture of a seven year old and a five year old in broad daylight by one Thunglim Lemba Chang son of Yentin Mongba of Hakchang Village, has once again highlighted that women and girls were not safe anywhere. ENWO said the act was a crime against women and violation of women’s right to a live free from perpetual threats of rape and sexual assaults both inside and outside their home.

ENWO appealed to the police and justice delivery system to carry out efficient and time bound investigation in order to ensure speedy trial and also award stringent punishment to the culprit. It also asked the authorities to “implement procedures mandated under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) with regard to recording statements, special courts, provision of support person, time bound charge sheet and appointment of special prosecutors etc.” Further, ENWO president Ayong Chang lamented that the crime against women continue despite unrelenting campaign by various women groups, legal service authorities and civil societies. “Silent witness to everyday form of sexual assault such as leering, groping, passing comments, stalking and whistling are equally responsible for rape embedded in our culture

and hence being so prevalent today,” Ayong said. ENWO said it condemned the culture of silence and tolerance for rape and sexual assault and the culture of valorising such crimes. PWO: Phom Woman Organization (Phomla

Hoichem) has expressed shock and condemned the sexual assault on minor girls (7 years and 5 years) by Lemba Chang son of Yenden Chang of Hakchang village at Tuensang town on June 15. (Cont’d on p-7)

PUTT demands capital punishment

Phom Union Tuensang Town (PUTT) has strongly condemned the alleged rape of minor girls and demanded that the accused Lemba Chang (21) be awarded capital punishment. The signatories- PUTT president, Lungcha Phom and secretary Chauba Phom in a representation to DC Tuensang, said that the minors- aged five and sevenfrom Phom community were raped by Lemba Chang son of Yenden Chang of Hakching village, resident of Bazaar A Colony Tuensang and a student of Government Higher Secondary School Thangjam, Tuensang. It said since the accused, under police custody, had confessed to his crime and the medical examinations on the victims have confirmed rape, PUTT urged upon the responsible authority to book the culprit under relevant sections of the law. It also demanded that the accused should not be granted bail under any circumstances. While condemning the barbaric act, PUTT demanded that necessary measures for care and protection should be provided to the minor victims and parents immediately. The union called upon all sensible persons/organizations to condemn the “heinous crime”. K Y M C


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June 20, 2017 by Nagaland Post - Issuu