October 16, 2016

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Russia slams US threats over cyber attacks

SIGNIFICANCE OF “LAO-ONG” MO ( Sunday Post Supplement )

DIMAPUR sunday, october 16, 2016

Vol XXVI No. 309

Steep hike in prices of petrol and diesel

NEW DELHI, OCT 15 (PTI): Petrol price was on Saturday hiked by Rs 1.34 a litre, the fifth increase in two months, and diesel by Rs 2.37 a litre on back of spike in global rates. The hike announced by oil companies is excluding state levies. The price of petrol was last hiked by 14 paise per litre and that of diesel by 10 paise a litre on October 5, following an increase in commission paid to dealers. Prior to that petrol price had been hiked on three occasions while diesel price was cut by 8 paise a litre on October 1. “The current level of international product prices of petrol and diesel and INRUSD exchange rate warrant increase in selling price of petrol and diesel, the impact of which is being passed on to the consumers with this price revision,” Indian Oil Corp (IOC) said in a statement.

SSSUD lifts ban on sand supply

DIMAPUR, OCT 15 (NPN): Sand Stockists & Suppliers Union Dimapur (SSSUD) has lifted the indefinite ban on sand supply at Manjha route with effect from October 16 October 2016. According to SSSUD president Viniho Shohe and general secretary Nito Sumi, the decision was made after consultation with sand mahaldars of Karbi Anglong. SSSUD further lauded KLNLF for accepting its proposal and the sand carrier vehicle owners’, public for extending their support.

NSSATA phase-I stir from Oct 17

DIMAPUR, OCT 15 (NPN): With no positive response from the state government, the Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association (NSSTA) has announced to boycott classes from October 17, 2016 as part of its phase-I agitation. The announcement comes following the expiry of its seven-day ultimatum served on state government on October 15, 2016 and the failure of the state government to resolve the four-point charter of demands. NSSATA said around 2600 teachers would take part in the proposed agitation.

APPC files petition

I T A N A G A R , O ct 1 5 (AGENCIES): Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has reportedly filed a petition with Speaker, challenging the recent merger of 43 Congress MLAs with People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), describing the same as “unconstitutional and violation of Anti-Defection Law”. Left with only three members, including former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, in the 60-member House after the wholesale defection to the regional party PPA, the Congress pleaded for disqualification of those MLAs as member of Arunachal Pradesh Assembly under Article 191(2) Rules, 1987/2003 for ‘voluntarily’ giving up the membership of their original political party Indian National Congress and joining PPA. “Although a notification was issued by the Assembly showing these MLAs as PPA MLAs but no separate order for merger has been issued,” it claimed.

This is it!

“We’re tasting the whisky seized during a surgical strike. If it’s spurious then the case will more serious.” K Y M C

India, Russia defence deals TO TOUCH `72000 cr

All eyes on Modi-Putin meet

NEW DELHI, Oct 15 (AGENCIES): Correcting the pronounced tilt towards the US in defence deals over the last decade, India on Saturday inked pacts with Russia to acquire advanced air defence missile systems, stealth frigates as well as jointly produce lightutility helicopters. The three projects are collectively worth an estimated $10.5 billion (over Rs 72,000 crore). The two pacts or intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) for five new-generation Russian S-400 Triumf missile systems and four upgraded Teg or Grigorivich-class frigates, apart from the joint venture to produce 200 Kamov-226T light utility helicopters, are not actual contracts as yet. That will take some time, with the nitty-gritties and final costs to be sealed through further negotiations in the days ahead. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in whose presence the pacts were inked in Goa, were all gung-ho about the reinforcement of the bilateral strategic partnership “to lay deeper defence ties” in the years ahead. “Agreements on manufacturing Kamov-226T helicopters; constructions of frigates; and acquisition and building of other defence platforms are in synergy with India’s technology and security priorities,” said Modi.

Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the exchange of agreements ceremony in Goa on Saturday. (PTI)

In terms of sheer strategic value, India’s acquisition of the five S-400 systems for over $5.5 billion is clearly going to be game-changer. TOI was the first to report in October 2015 about India’s decision to go in for the S-400 systems, which basically have three kinds of missiles that can fly at supersonic and hypersonic speeds to intercept all kinds of targets at ranges from 120 to 400-km. Defence sources said the S-400 systems, with three meant for the western front with Pakistan and the other two for the eastern one with China, can shoot down Chinese or Pakistani fighters while they are flying in their own airspaces. India will be the second customer for the S-400 (called SA-21 Growler by NATO), with China slated to get the anti-aircraft\anti-missile systems under a $3 billion deal

with Russia in 2014. A defence source said, “Most of the negotiations for our S-400 systems are over ... the contract should be inked among the first to be inked.” The $4 billion pact for the four 4,000-tonne guidedmissile stealth frigates also has some strategic content to it though it is not acknowledged in public. India’s quest to lease a second nuclear-powered submarine (the first INS Chakra came in 2012) for around $1.5 billion from Russia has been linked by Moscow to New Delhi’s agreement to acquire the frigates lying half-constructed at the Yantar Shipyard due to a cash-crunch. India will also have to acquire Zorya gas-turbine engines for the frigates from Ukraine, which is bitterly opposed to Russia as of now. “While two of the frigates will come from Russia, with a

faster delivery time, the other two will be built here. It will take time for the contract with the selected Indian shipyard to be finalized,” said a source. As for the Kamov-226T choppers, the IGA for it was inked during Modi’s visit to Moscow in December last year. It’s only now the joint venture for the project, with the memorandum of association, share-holders agreement and the like, has been inked between defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics (with majority 50.5% stake) and Russian Rostec State Corporation. But the different pacts do show that Russia is reasserting its numero uno status in the Indian defence market. It was after the 1999 Kargil conflict that India began to increasingly turn to countries like US, Israel, France and UK so as to not put all its eggs in the Russian basket. As the strategic clinch with the US got tighter, Washington alone bagged Indian defence deals worth $15 billion since 2007. Though India still remains slightly unhappy with Russia for not sticking to delivery schedules, jacking up costs mid-way, putting hurdles in technology transfer and unreliable spares support, New Delhi knows only Moscow will help it with “strategic projects” like nuclear-powered submarines or the S-400 systems.

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Indefinite NH-29 bandh from Oct 17 CCoFA warns of phase-II total statewide bandh DIMAPUR, OCT 15 (NPN): Coordination Committee on Fuel Adulteration (CCoFA) on Saturday informed that it has decided to go ahead with the first phase indefinite NH-29 bandh starting on October 17 (Monday) from 6 a.m. According to CCoFA media cell, plying of oil tankers and government registered vehicles (NL-10) would be restricted along NH 29 during the phase-I of the bandh. All

other vehicles except the two categories, as mentioned, are exempt from the purview of the restriction. In consideration for the movement of the common public, CCoFA media cell informed that NST buses would also be exempted from the restriction imposed during the bandh. CCoFA media cell asserted that since all private vehicles have been exempted from the purview of the bandh, vehicles with government registered numbers would be allowed to ply only within the town areas (and not along NH29). However, oil tankers will not be allowed to ply within the town areas. The Committee also requests all Manipur-

Cabinet appeals CCoFA to call off bandh DAN cabinet on Saturday appealed to the CCoFA to call off the proposed NH bandh, by assuring that the charge sheets would be filed and submitted within the next ten (10) days. This was contained in a communiqué issued by chief minister T.R. Zeliang and officiating chief secretary R.B. Thong after the emergency meeting of the state cabinet that was held in the residential office of the Chief Minister Nagaland. The cabinet deliberated on the representation submitted by the CCoFA- demanding the transfer of two fuel adulteration cases to CBI and the proposed bandh to begin from October 17, in the event the demand was not met. In the joint communiqué, chief minister T.R.Zeliang and officiating chief secretary R.B.Thong IAS stated that the cabinet made a three-point resolution after due deliberation of the issue and also taking in consideration of the detailed SIT report on the progress of the investigation, with inputs from the chief secretary and DGP along with other officers. The three resolutions included:

1. As the investigation by the SIT is in advance stage, it is not advisable to change the investigation agency at this juncture. 2. The DGP was directed to instruct the SIT to submit an interim report to the government and also file charge sheets in the court within the next 10 days. 3. The chief secretary would convey the decision of the Cabinet to the representatives of the CCoFA and in the light of substantial progress made by SIT, whose mandate is to comprehensively cover the subject matter as given in the two FIRs, and also the fact that the charge sheets would be submitted in 10 days, ask them to call off the proposed bandh on National Highways from 17th October, 2016. It may be mentioned that CCoFA-- comprising of over 20 civil society organizations had on September 23 served a 15-day ultimatum on the state government, demanding that the CBI be brought in for a thorough investigation into the fuel adulteration racket and to re-arrest all the alleged fuel adulteration kingpins.

BJP ready to contest civic NCSU clarifies stand on 4 lane project body polls in Nagaland Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, Oct 15 (NPN): Nagaland unit of the BJP at its third executive meeting at Hotel Saramati Saturday, adopted several resolutions with regard to Municipal elections and the ongoing dialogue between the government of India and NSCN (I-M). The BJP resolved that it will participate in the upcoming local Municipal and Town Council polls whenever they are to be held. In this regard, the state unit also resolved to pursue measures for contesting the elections with the party central leadership such as guidance and logistic support for both the upcoming municipal polls and also the scheduled assembly polls by 2018. The meeting also resolved to urge the central leadership to adopt appropriate strategies in close coordination with the state unit. By another resolution, the state executive also decided to actively pursue an open door policy for all members who wished to join the party without pre-conditions. The meeting decided that its stalwarts

and senior leaders would be entitled to active membership while every member should follow the procedure laid down in the constitution of the party. The meeting also decided that no member of the party shall take up any matter with the higher authority without the knowledge and consent of the state party office. Further, the party resolved to urge the centre for a separate NorthEast coordination committee for BJP in order to strengthen the party and to have a better system of understanding in the region. Affirming that it was committed to pursue the development agenda of BJP-led NDA government for the welfare and development of the people of Nagaland, the party urged upon the DAN alliance partners to work in close coordination with the state BJP in this endeavour. The BJP also maintained that the ongoing negotiation between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M) should be expeditiously resolved through inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders for a permanent solution.

DIMAPUR, OCT 15 (NPN): Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) head office has clarified its position to the people of the state concerning DimapurKohima four lane project, saying it had no intention to obstruct the proposed construction of four lane road in any manner. In a press release, the NCSU president, Pele Khezhie, and general secretary, John Kath, said the union rather reaffirmed to render its fullest cooperation and support for the successful completion of “this historic” four lane road. In this regard, the NCSU has appealed to all responsible citizens of Nagaland not to be “misled by propagandas and speculations” but to understand the truth behind it. The union said it had time and again raised objection against M/s. Gayatri & Maytas joint venture (JV), which had “miserably failed” in the construction of LonglengChangtongya road, Mon-TamluMerangkong road, Phek-Pfütsero and Zunheboto-Chakhabama road under SARDP Phase-1. NCSU reminded that JV was awarded the projects in the year 2010 with total tender amount of Rs. 987 crores and the work order

amount of Rs. 1131 crore was enhanced to Rs. 2988 crore, which it said was almost triple from the original DPR. The union said so far around Rs. 383 crore has been released to the company, but the work completion was not even 1km till date. Therefore, the NCSU sought to know “where and how this huge amount was spent?” In view of the above, NCSU said the people of those areas have been facing great hardship all these years. It added the same fate should not be repeated in near future in the construction of other mega project in Nagaland. In the mean time, the union stated that the same M/s. Gayatri Company has been awarded another work in the proposed construction of Dimapur-Kohima four-lane project in package No.3 from Pephima to Jotsoma bypass. Expressing its reservation that the said company may not be able to execute the work properly according to the laid specifications, NCSU said “this company continue to use socalled ‘Sister Concern Firm, Ratna Company’ on their behalf in such mega project which proves failure.”. Therefore, the NCSU has appealed to all the stakeholders to put “our

Gurudev supporters crossing the crowded Rajghat Bridge for a meeting in Varanasi on Saturday. (PTI)

Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in Ramnagar as well as the Trauma Centre in the Banaras Hindu University. He said the toll may rise as the condition of several of the injured is said to be critical.

District authorities said the number of seriously injured was 21 while over 80 people were discharged after primary treatment. Police attributed the stampede to the “impatience” among the participants due

to the prevailing heat and humidity. Varanasi Senior Superintendent of Police, Akash Kulhari said: “The participants were feeling uncomfortable in the heat due to which the stampede might have occurred.” He said that as the incident spot was on the district boundary with Chandauli, police from both areas had reached the spot for rescue and relief operations. Chandauli District Magistrate Kumar Prashant told IANS that a ‘satsang’ for Baba Jai Gurudev was going on in Domri village, on the banks of the Ganga, in the district, and a large number of devotees from Varanasi’s Pili Kothi area were on their way there when the stampede occurred. The Akhilesh Yadav government announced an exgratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased, while top police and government officials including Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljit Chowdhary and Home Secretary S.K. Raghuvanshi reached the site

Oct 17: NTSA to join nationwide protest

common welfare” above personal interest as Dimapur-Kohima NH 29 DIMAPUR, OCT 15 (NPN): Responding to the call of the All Inis the lifeline for the entire State. dia Confederation of Commercial Tax Associations (AICCTA), NaNCSU has termed as “mis- galand Taxation Service Associaleading and not true” the state- tion (NTSA), an association of the ment of commissioner & secretary officers of the department of taxes, (C&S), works & housing, I. Himato has resolved to go on a one day mass Zhimomi, that the SARDP Phase-I casual leave on October 17, 2016. was not abandoned by M/s. Gayatri In a press release, NTSA presi& Maytas (JV). The union said all dent Tokatoli Sohe and general secrethe commuters of those roads were tary M.Yanrenthung Yanthan said this living witnesses. NCSU stated that was resolved at an emergency meeting the statement of commissioner & held on October 13. As per the nationsecretary was “certainly not in the al executive meeting (September 26), interest of people of Nagaland.” AICCTA had called for one day mass It also said the question of casual leave, Pan India, on October making indirect intimidation to the 17 against GST council’s decision to company by NCSU did not arise, keep the administration of service tax saying “everyone knows that the assesses exclusively with the central NCSU always stand for common authorities and irrational distribution welfare, justice and fairness.” of power and functions between CenRecalling a joint meeting with tral and state GST officers. Minister of National Highway (NH) Two representatives from in his official residence along with NTSA would be taking part at the the C&S works & housing on De- protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. cember 12, 2015 in connection with NTSA appealed to the state repthe four lane project, the NCSU said resentative to the GST council meetits officials staged a walk out in view ings to project and impress upon the of the C&S’s “indifferent attitude”, GST council the legitimate demand adding the union had even proposed of state’s commercial tax official in the to go for a total bandh. interest of the state’s fiscal autonomy (Cont’d on p-5) with the advent of the GST regime.

‘C&S statement misleading’

24 killed, over 60 injured in Varanasi stampede VARANASI, OCT 15 (IANS): At least 24 persons, most of them women, were crushed to death and 60 others injured in a stampede during a religious procession here on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed grief over the deaths while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav ordered a probe. The stampede occurred at around 1.30 p.m. at the Rajghat bridge in the Ramnagar area, as thousands of people, who had turned up at a religious congregation organised by disciples of the late spiritual leader Jai Gurudev, took out a procession. Ramanagar police station incharge Anil Kumar Singh told IANS that 19 people were killed in the stampede, while five of the injured succumbed to their injuries in hospital. However, state Director General of Police Javeed Ahmed said the death toll was 20. The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained. Varanasi’s Chief Medical Officer V.V. Singh said the injured were admitted to the

bound tankers to avoid plying on NH-29. CCoFA volunteers would be deployed at New Field check gate, Dillai gate, and Chumoukedima check point to enforce the bandh, stated the media cell. Meanwhile, CCoFA said in the event the state government failed to accede to their demands, the committee would go ahead with the phase-II/final phase of total indefinite statewide highway bandh. CCoFA also assured general public that a peaceful indefinite bandh would be enforced and appealed all supporters not to create any kind of situation since the sitr was based on a moral issue.

where state minister Surendra Singh Patel supervised rescue operations. Chowdhary said a high-level probe would be held to ascertain the reason. Varanasi District Magistrate Vijay Kiran Anand however blamed Acharya Pankaj Das, the successor of Jai Gurudev and the organiser of the two-day congregation in Domri village. “The organisers had told us that 3,000 people would come but over 300,000 turned up,” he said, adding action would be taken against those responsible after an enquiry. Pankaj Das however blamed the administration for failing to take proper measures. Prime Minister Modi, whose parliamentary constituency is Varanasi, expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi also expressed shock and grief over the deaths.

Church’s entrance door set afire in Kma

Main entrance door of the church partially gutted by fire.

Correspondent

KOHIMA, OCT 15: In a rare incident, the main entrance door of a church-- Living Word Church located at Peraciezie High School area, Kohima was set on fire by unidentified miscreants on October 14 night. According to a church leader, the incident of came to light on Saturday morning

when the church members had gone for dawn prayer. The door was partially destroyed by inferno. When asked about any suspects behind the incident, a church leader said it was an intentional action and could be the handiwork of “satanic worshippers” on the reason of “spiritual enmity” as the church was effectively working for the Lord. K Y M C


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