Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXX No. 85
DIMAPUR, MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020 Pages 12 ` 5.00
Situation peaceful but tense in riot-hit areas
India on verge of another defeat against NZ
International community hails US-Taliban deal
National, Page 5
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
Powerful world of liquor syndicates
Tinakali Sumi
DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Powerful syndicates have been organised to ensure adequate and uninterrupted supply of liquor across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur and whose trade is estimated to run into a few thousand crore rupees every year. Like Nagaland, which has banned sale and consumption of Indian Made Foreign Liquor through the Nagaland Liquor Prohibition Total Act 1989, Manipur and Mizoram have also prohibited sale and consumption of liquor. For the first time and in an explosive revelation, a whistleblower, who requested anonymity, has exposed the entire black market in liquor in Nagaland which is estimated at a few hundred crore rupees a year. According to the whistleblower, the trade is run by a well organised underworld under liquor barons. It involves greasing the palms of various groups including agencies. The whistleblower, who
PSAN urges state govt to set up SSB DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland (PSAN) has urged the state government to set up Staff Selection Board (SSB) at the earliest possible time for the benefit of educated youth of Nagaland in particular and Nagas in general. In a statement issued by its convener Mughaka Jakhalu, the body representing public aspirants also requested the government to ensure that members of the board were selected/ appointed from among competent persons having the required knowledge and expertise in competitive exams, most preferably NCS/ NPS/IAS/IPS officers, and not just anybody in order to ensure the board’s transparency, accountability and efficiency. The body further requested all right-thinking Nagas to look beyond tribal and political interests and support its demand for setting up SSB in the State. In the backdrop of the ongoing controversy over SSB, PSAN has stressed that the board was need of the hour. In view of rampant corruption and backdoor appointments, PSAN pointed out that SSB would go a long way in resolving the issues related to appointments to public offices, thus paving
requested anonymity for safety reasons, explained in detail the modus operandi and also provided a two-page monthly payment sheet containing details of all those who are paid their “fee” every month. According to the whistleblower, the “syndicate” system has been running for over ten years. The whistleblower said that initially there were only two syndicate groups. However, the two groups discontinued after a “major raid by a central team” where they incurred loss of over Rs. 50 core. The reorganised syndicate members have been given wholesale distribution of liquor for Dimapur and Kohima districts and from where the contraband gets smuggled to different parts of the state. The entire liquor for distribution is produced in distilleries in Arunachal Pradesh which supplies to the syndicate-chain running into a few thousand crores a year. The contraband containing liquor from the distilleries and loaded in several trucks are transported to Numaligarh and from
where some are headed towards Mizoram and even Assam. Assam state excise has also taken up the issue of being deprived of several hundreds crores in excise revenue due to contraband sale from Arunachal Pradesh. The remaining contraband for the Nagaland liquor syndicates are transported to Lahorijan (Karbi Anglong) headed for Dimapur to some particular ‘bonded warehouses’. On an average, eight trucks-- five for Dimapur and three for Kohima-are loaded with liquor for retail sale in Dimapur and Kohima. The consignments include IMFL (Beer, Whisky and Rum) manufactured and sold as branded items. The entire operations are usually carried out from 10 p.m. to wee hours the next day for at least five-six days a week. The whistleblower informed that consignment worth Rs. 2 crore (approximate) is smuggled into Dimapur every night, thus totalling Rs. 12 crore (approximate) per week. According to the whistleblower, the “retail-
ers” are shops/business establishments that sell bottled water, who run shady “hotels and shops” in different areas across Dimapur and Kohima. According to the whistleblower, majority of the syndicate members and “retailers” are nonNagas who run the illegal trade under the patronage of NPGs and assistance of law enforcement agencies. According to the whistleblower, the illegal trade in liquor is a money spinner that benefits far too many across the entire spectrum and the whistleblower was convinced that liquor prohibition can only ensure black market will thrive. The Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989 is an Act of Nagaland Legislative Assembly which prohibits possession, sale, consumption & manufacture of liquor and import and export of it in Nagaland. The Act further bans the use or possession of denatured spirit or any material, utensil, implement or apparatus whatsoever used for manufacture of liquor.
NPRAAF questions logic of All refugees to get acquiring land for Ciethu airport citizenship under DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has questioned the logic of acquiring 3,68,5201 acres of land at Ciethu Chiechama in Kohima district for the proposed Ciethu-Chiechama airport. Referring to the notification issued by Kohima deputy commissioner (DC) Gregory Thejawelie in this regard on February 24, the forum in a statement asked the State government whether any feasibility report had been issued by Airport Authority of India (AAI) for land in the area before outright purchase/acquisition for the proposed airport. NPRAAF reminded the government and the people of Nagaland that land measuring 600 acres was purchased/acquired outright for setting up airport in 2006. The acquired
land was sufficient to set up an airport, it added. However, the forum said it was unfortunate that the area acquired by the State government for the airport had two hillocks that required to be knocked down and levelled, besides huge retaining walls raised on both sides, incurring heavy expenditure for an airport meant for small aircrafts. Therefore, Planning Commission turned down the proposal during 20072012 on the ground that the proposed site was technically and financially not feasible and worthy for an airport. Thereafter the State government had in 2015 again proposed Ruzaphema village as an alternative airport to Dimapur, following which a technical team from AAI came and made aerial and ground surveys of the proposed site and was fully satisfied. (Cont’d on p-8)
AIZAWL, MAR 1 (AGENCIES): In a major drug haul, Mizoram police Saturday seized 39 lakhs tablets of methamphetamine worth Rs. 97.50 crore from a Silchar bound truck and arrested one person at Vairengte near Assam border. The driver of the truck, identified as one Ramnunmawia of Zokhawthar in Champhai district on the Mizoram-Myanmar border, was arrested, police said. Police said that the contraband worth Rs 97.50 crore in the international market were packed in 390 polythene packets and were hidden inside a compartment on the body floor of the vehicle. Upon investigation, Ramnunmawia told police that the drugs belonged to Lalsiammawia of Champhai, who offered him Rs 5,000 to hand over the contraband to a certain person in Silchar. He, however, did not disclose the identity of the person whom he should hand over the drugs in Silchar, the police said. Police registered a case against the accused and investigation into the matter is on.
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): Tension erupted along the Nagaland-Assam border, near Nagaland gate (New Field check gate), Sunday afternoon after hundreds of people from across the border congregated near the check gate and halted vehicles from crossing the area, in protest against ILP. According to reports, the incident started following rumours of arrest of some Inner Line Permit (LIP) defaulters by Nagaland police near the check gate area. In a series of videos that went viral on social media, people were seen shouting “Go back, Go back”, “ILP namanibo (will not accept ILP)” etc. PRO Dimapur police Relo T. Aye clarified that the confusion started when police were carrying out routine checking near the border area and also as security measure in view of a programme (2nd Islah-eMuashra & Duwa Mehfil Eidgah Shareef) being organized near Dimapur District Sports Council stadium. Aye clarified that the check-
Protestors near the Nagaland check gate, Sunday. (Social media)
ing was misconstrued as an ILP drive and that led to the confusion. Meanwhile, when contacted, Home commissioner M. Patton informed that the tension along the border area was diffused after the Dimapur district administration contacted its counterpart in Karbi Anglong. Assam police also rushed to the spot and disperse the protestors. It may be recalled that the Joint Committee for Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) had served an ultimatum on chief minister to issue notification on RIIN based on Banuo commission’s report with 1963 as the cut-off year, physical implementation of BEFR,
1873 based on Abhishek committee’s report on ILP, revocation of 1979 as cut-off year under BEFR, 1873 and establishment of Foreigners Tribunals under the Foreigners’ Act, 1946. JCPI set March 15, 2020 as the deadline to fulfil its demands, failing which it warned that it would be compelled to resort to any democratic means of protest to restore “our inherent rights and privileges”. It also reiterated its demand that January 31, 2020 should be the last date for submission of the commission’s final report and February 29, 2020 as the last date for final notification.
Situation remains tense in Meghalaya
Rev. Yamyap Konyak inducted as State chaplain
CAA: Amit Shah 1 more killed; night curfew in Shillong KOLKATA, MAR 1 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted on Sunday that the Centre would not stop until all refugees in the country are granted citizenship under the amended Citizenship Act and accused the opposition, including the Trinamool Congress, of misguiding refugees and minorities over the new law. Not a single person will lose citizenship because of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), he said. Addressing his first public rally in Kolkata after the 2019 general elections, Shah said, “The opposition is terrorising the minorities. I assure every person from the minority community that the CAA only provides citizenship, does not take it away. It won’t affect your citizenship.”
ILP issue: Protestors block road in Nagaland-Assam border area
Correspondent
SHILLONG, MAR 1: Situation in Meghalaya’s capital Shillong remained grim after one more person was killed early on Sunday taking the total number of deaths to three in the ongoing violence related to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and demand for the imposition of Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime. According police, the victim-- Uphas Uddin (37) died after he was attacked by three unidentified people at his house in Pyrken village under East Khasi Hills district. With the situation continuing to be tense, the district administration enforced night curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. till further order. (Full report on p-7) “Night curfew will
continue to be enforced in Shillong city to prevent from any further untoward incident,” East Khasi Hills district DC, Matsiewdor War Nongbri said. Mobile internet services continue to remain suspended since Friday night in six districts (East, West Jaintia Hills, East, West, South West Khasi hills and Ri-Bhoi districts) and the suspension would stay until further orders. State’s DGP, R Chandranathan warned that any person(s) indulging in activities that may create breakdown of law and order, communal disharmony, incite or instigate conflict in the state shall be sternly dealt with as per the law. Officials also informed that several stray incidents were reported from across the state. It was reported that miscreants resorted to stone pelting at vehicles along the National Highway in Puriang area Sunday
evening. In Mawsynram, unknown persons attacked one Rajua Karim, an employee of government-owned Meghalaya Basin Development Agency on Saturday at Mawthabah village Sunday morning . In Shillong, miscreants on Saturday night hurled a petrol bomb at the residential compound of one Lakshmi Bareh at Pynthorbah, Block – 4. On Saturday, one person was killed and nine injured when a group of unidentified persons went on a stabbing spree at Shillong’s busy Bara Bazaar area. The present spate of violence started after the death of a Khasi youth Lurshai Hynniewta, on Friday by non-tribals in Ichamati area of East Khasi Hills district after a meeting to oppose CAA and seek implementation of ILP in the state was organized by Khasi Students’ Union.
Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEB 1 (NPN): Rev T.W. Yamyap Konyak was inducted as the state chaplain on Sunday at a function held here at the State Banquet Hall. Rev. Yamyap, former bursar of Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam and finance and property secretary of Nagaland Baptist Church Council took over from Rev. Kuzierang Thou. Rev. Ya mya p a l s o served as executive secretary of the Konyak Baptist Churches Association Prayers of blessing for the outgoing and incoming chaplain was proposed by former state chaplain Rev. Khrütsoyi Lüruo. Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, host of ministers, legislators, NBCC general secretary and others attended the programme.
‘Night walk’ in Kohima to promote women safety BJP, ENSF react to NSF ultimatum Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAR 1 (NPN): Along with rest of the nation, Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) in collaboration with National (Cont’d on p-8) Commission for Women (NCW) organised “night walk” in the State Capital on Sunday as part of a nationwide campaign to promote women safety. Hundreds of young and old women from different walks of life participated in the walk with banners and placards that read Keep your sisters safe everywhere”, “Stay safe, stay blessed”, “Public spaces must be safe spaces”, “Safety isn’t expensive, it is priceless”, “Keep your mothers safe everywhere”, etc. The walk started from “Mobs burned their homes. TCP gate junction to Razhü We may be beggars but we point and culminated at old are rich with compassion. MLA junction on. Few men Let them beg here.” also participated in the walk
This is it!
K Y M C
Drugs worth `97.5 cr seized in Mizoram; 1 held
Womenfolk during the ‘Night Walk’ in Kohima, Sunday. (NP)
with placards that read “I promote women’s safety”. The main objective of the night walk was to advocate women rights to occupy public spaces as an unconditional right and to reach out to a wider audience for women’s safety on the road, especially at night. NSCW’s first chairperson Sano Vamuzo flagged off the night walk at TCP
gate. Speaking on the occasion, she said “We have to love one another, starting from family. We have to love our neighbours. We have to love everyone. We have to love even our enemies.” In her speech, NSCW’s current chairperson Khrienuo Tachu stressed that safety of women 24x7 in public spaces was essential and important for wholesome
growth of societies across the world. Mentioning that cases of violence against women had not decreased even in the 21st century, she said for this reason, NCW had directed all State women commissions to organise night walks on March 1 from 7 pm onwards across the State capitals of India. Tachu explained that the main objective of the night walk was to emphasise safe environment for women and their right to occupy public spaces sans time, normalise their visibility in public spaces, scale up and reach to a wider audience the issue of women’s safety on the road, especially during night, and facilitate a progressive mindset change in the society and eradicate victim and selfblaming. Hence, along with rest of the country, NSCW too organised the night walk in the State Capital.
Inappropriate for a student ENSF objects to interference by body to issue ultimatum: BJP non-indigenous student bodies
DIMAPUR, MAR 1 (NPN): BJP Nagaland has expressed concern over the ultimatum served on chief minister Neiphiu Rio by Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on February 22. The party felt that it was inappropriate for a student body to issue ultimatum to the State government and considered the federation’s act of involving student bodies from outside the State to pressurise Nagaland government on internal matters as seriously injudicious. Acknowledging the initiative of NSF on its demand for implementation of Nagaland State Selection Board (NSSB), the State BJP said it was perplexed as to the motive, if any, behind involving student bodies from outside the State as signatories in the ultimatum. BJP said NSF had great responsibility and lofty stature of representing a huge number of Naga intelligentsia, besides holding a rich legacy of being involved in democratic proceedings in the State and in nation building with reasoning and (Cont’d on p-8) discipline.
Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has objected to the “unwarranted and unwanted” interference by non-indigenous student bodies in internal affairs of Nagaland as there was neither a dearth of leadership nor talents to resolve any issues within the State. Pointing out that the State government was accountable and answerable only to the people of Nagaland, the federation said the duly-elected government of the day should in no way succumb and decide anything for the people of Nagaland under the dictates by non-indigenous student organisations. ENSF asserted that it would not accept the decision of the State government regarding forming of Nagaland Staff Selection Board without prior consultation with stakeholders of Nagaland, including itself. A representation in this regard would be submitted to chief minister Neiphiu Rio, it added. While recognising Naga Students’ Federation’s (NSF) genuine demand regard(Cont’d on p-8) ing Nagaland Staff K Y M C