Shah hopes AFSPA will be removed in 3-4 yrs Modi Govt lacks political will to implement Naga solution: Kharge

KOHIMA, FEB 21 (NPN):

Union Home Minister Amit

Shah expressed the hope that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), partially removed from certain areas of Nagaland, would be totally removed in the next three-four years.

Shah said this while addressing an election rally at parade ground Tuensang town Tuesday, in the presence of chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy CM Y. Patton, Central BJP leaders and host of other leaders.

Shah pointed out that post 2014, the insurgency problem had drastically reduced in the Northeast and how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working sincerely to bring permanent peace to the region, including Nagaland. He also assured that the Naga political issue would be resolved soon and permanent peace would

Correspondent

KOHIMA, FEB 21 (NPN):

With only a few more days to go for assembly elections, state chief minister Neiphiu Rio said it was important to know a political party and its ideologies while people cast their votes in the upcoming polls.

Speaking at the campaign rally for 14 Southern Angami-I NDPP candidate, Medo Yhokha, at Kimipfüphe ground, Kigwema on Tuesday, Rio lamented that many people were still blindly following political parties without fully understanding or weighing on its ideologies thinking all parties were the same.

Campaigning to conclude on Feb 25

DIMAPUR, FEB 21

(NPN): Chief electoral office (CEO) has notified for general information of all concerned that as per Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, campaigning for upcoming Assembly election would come to an end at 4 pm on February 25.

Thereafter, during the 48-hour period leading to the election on February 27, there would be prohibition on public meeting.

Accordingly, no person would be able to convene, hold or attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with the election, or display to public any election matter by means of cinematograph, prevail. “…I am hopeful that the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will bear fruit in bringing lasting peace in the state with the preservation of Naga culture, language and tradition,” he said. No other alliance: Shah also reaffirmed that there was no alliance with any other party except NDPP in Nagaland and asserted that there should be no confusion over this.

He alleged that some political parties were deliberately trying to confuse the people by claiming that BJP or NDPP were supporting other parties’ candidates. He said the central BJP leadership had recognised the alliance only with NDPP and appealed to the electorate to support these two parties for peace and development.

ENPO-MHA agreement after election: Shah acknowledged the development deficiency in Eastern

Nagaland and termed the demand of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation as legitimate. Following the demand, he said negotiations between Home Ministry and ENPO were initiated and these had been brought to a logical conclusion.

However, owing to the election model code of conduct, he said the contents could not be made public yet. He however assured therefore, urged the people not to confuse it with any other party.

He said NDPP during its conception had the chance to merge even with other parties, but had to go solo, since its sole motive was to work for Naga identity unlike other parties, which did not share the same vision.

He said when NDPP was formed its primary objective was to protect the identity, cultural heritage and unique history of the Nagas. Rio said NDPP was formed as a secular party with regional characteristics and a global outlook. He,

Correspondent

TIZU ISLAND (ASUTO),

FEB 21 (NPN): Union Minister of State for Electronics, Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday maintained that the Constitution of India was the ideology of the BJP party that whatever was agreed upon would not be changed in any way and would be strictly implemented in letter and spirit right after the Assembly election. Sources said the same was conveyed to ENPO office-bearers during a meeting held at Mon on Monday evening.

Speaking exclusively to Nagaland Post on the sideline of a campaign rally for BJP candidate H Khehovi at Khumishi village under Asuto sub-division, Chandrashekhar said: “Our ideology is the Constitution of India as Modi ji has already declared Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.

TIZIT, FEB 21 (PTI): In another poll-related violence, unidentified miscreants torched a vehicle belonging to NPF candidate from Tizit constituency, while two persons were also reportedly abducted. A top police officer said on Tuesday that one person was later released by the kidnappers while an operation was on to rescue the other.

SP Mon T Uniel Kichu told PTI that two persons were not party members but were staying at NPF candidate’s residence, adding a case has been registered. He hoped that some arrests will be made soon.

Even as Shah was wrapped in Naga traditional attire, he regretted in not being able to speak in the local language but assured that tribal languages would be preserved and promoted. Shah urged upon the parents to encourage their children to learn their own languages.

Further, highlighting the various schemes launched by the Modi government, Shah sought support for the NDPP-BJP alliance and strengthening the hands of Modi and Rio for peace and development.

He claimed that post 2015, a total of 53 large infrastructure projects were was announced before there could be a final agreement. been completed in Nagaland, while another 142 projects were in the pipeline for the State. He further informed the rally that after a very detailed satellite-based study of the terrain in the Northeast, several extensive projects were being planned for the region, especially Nagaland.

He maintained that money power could destroy many Nagas at this juncture. Rio, therefore, urged people to be careful and also overcome selfish gains as every person would reap what they sow.

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy CM Y Patton also addressed the gathering.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the National Christian Council, Nagaland chapter had called on Amit Shah at the airport, before the latter’s departure to Delhi. The delegation submitted a memorandum highlighting atrocities committed against Christians and minority communities across the country. It was learnt that Shah had urged the delegation to work for unity among Christians and raise such issues with the Government of India.

DIMAPUR, FEB 21

(NPN): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the Narendra Modi government of not having the political will to implement the agreed solutions.

Addressing a rally at Diphupar village public ground on Tuesday, Kharge alleged that the Central government had cheated the people of Nagaland and the country as well.

Referring to the delayed solution of Naga political issue, he recalled that Modi had announced on August 3, 2015 that Naga issue was resolved with the signing of “Naga Accord”, which was later renamed as Framework Agreement. However, he pointed out that eight years down the line, the announcement had come to nought. He mentioned that

Modi had on August 2019 given a three-month deadline for peaceful resolution of Naga political issue, to which then governor RN Ravi had responded by saying that it was long enough duration to conclude the issue.

Kharge pointed that not only the deadline had failed, but, as result of Oting killings on December 4, 2021, the Modi government extended disturbed area tag and extended AFSPA for another six months on

December 30, 2021. He asserted, “BJP is not at all serious in resolving the Naga political issue. So much so, that this topical issue does not even figure in their 41-page manifesto.” He claimed that Congress-led governments were the first to agree to talks at the Prime Minister’s level, as demanded by rebel leaders, first with FGN in 1960s and later with NSCN. He also claimed that Congress was the only party that had actually initiated the process to find a peaceful solution to Naga political Issue and it still remained a top commitment as evident in “our manifesto”. Cong-led alliance to come to power in 2024: The Congress chief also claimed that the party would lead the alliance of other likeminded parties and come to power at the Centre in 2024.

Power shutdown in parts of Dimapur from Feb 22 to Mar 9

DIMAPUR, FEB 21 (NPN): Power department has informed that there would be power shutdown in parts of Dimapur from 2am to 8:30am starting February 22 to March 9, 2023.

In a press release, SDO No-1 Electrical Sub-Division, Dimapur, Er.Orenvungo S Ovung, informed that the shutdown was being undertaken in view of dismantling and shifting of old existing HT and LT lines to newly erected Trunk Line in Dimapur town area.

As per the proposed shutdown programme, the areas under 11 KV Feeder and Forest 33 KV (Dobhinalla, Town & Sematilla) including Kaboi Bosti, New Market, Sematilla, West yard, Chatteshwari, Lhomithi, Army supply Road,

He said the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Positions were also both signed with the understanding to protect Naga identity, cultural and customary practices.

Rio said before anything else, the government also wanted to resolve the Naga issue, but election taking prominence in some parts of Nagaland. He termed such issues raised by BJP’s opponents as desperate bids to distract the voters from what was the most important issue, which was peace and development.

He said many people were enjoying money brought from elsewhere without paying proper attention. However, he said those sources would vanish after election was over.

Rio said reformation of Nagaland should start with solution to the Naga issue and also by electing the right candidates.

Our ideology is to give opportunity and prosperity to every citizen and every Naga, regardless of he or she residing in a remote or a developed district, will get an opportunity to progress in life along with his family and build a better future.”

He was responding to a query about religious issues

The minister also expressed confidence that the BJP-NDPP alliance would come back to power with a very decisive majority and asserted that political opponents like NCP, LJP or NPP had only one option – spread confusion, lies and misinformation. Chandrashekhar was confident that the alliance would get at least over 45 seats.

Q.: Has the union budget helped to bring down prices of various commodities?