Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVI No. 322
DIMAPUR, saturday, october 29, 2016
Smart city project to show Under-fire Dhoni faces tricky results soon: Venkaiah Naidu Kiwis in series-decider national, Page 5
Acharya and Rio along with their wives and legislators at Longwa on Friday. (NP)
MON, OCT 28 (NPN): Nagaland governor, PB Acharya, has said that, India as a democratic country, development should take place, by and large, equally in every nook and corner of the country. Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the residence of Longwa Angh and renovated guest house at Longwa Village, bordering Myanmar, here on Friday, the governor said even if the rest of the country advanced in development, if one state or a district lagged behind, India cannot be called developed nation.
Minor raped, murdered in Zbto; SH, STH condemn DIMAPUR, OCT 28 (NPN): Thousands gathered at Zunheboto town, centre police point on Friday to protest the rape and murder of an 11-year old girl, a class IV student. According to Sumi Hoho, nearly five thousand people gathered at the rally organized by Sumi Totimi Hoho (Zunheboto), to voice out against the heinous and barbaric crime committed by one Hoshepu. The public demanded capital punishment for the heinous crime committed by Hoshepu of Nihoshe village, Sumi Hoho stated. Later, STH (Z) also submitted memorandum to the DC accompanied by the public leaders. Others who spoke of the occasion include- Sumi Hoho general secretary, Vihuto Asumi; STH leaders Vihuli and Viholi and Kukami (G.Bs) Meanwhile, apex bodies of the Sumi community-Sumi Hoho and Sumi Totimi Hoho have vehemently condemned the “rape and murder” of an 11-year old minor girl, a class 4 student on October 28. In a press note, SH president Toniho Yepthomi and general secretary Vihuto Asumi stated that the accused identified
The governor assured that the central government was focused on developing north east, without which, he said the country cannot develop. He also pointed out that 98% of north east region share international border and only 2% of the land connects with the main land. Acharya maintained that in order to have peace within oneself, peace should prevail in neighbours and surroundings. Similarly, for India to have peace, he said there should be peace with neighbouring countries. The governor asserted that wherever Nagas may be spread, they should collectively work for the growth
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and development of the Nagas as a whole, adding that “unity is strength”. Reiterating that mother tongue was the basic identity of an individual, Acharya urged upon the gathering not to neglect or forget their mother tongue and their cultural and traditional practices. He also lamented that despite the efforts of the central government, the Centrally Sponsored Schemes were not reaching the beneficiaries. In this regard, he called upon the people to rededicate themselves and fight against corruption. Expressing disappointment with the condition and functioning of the Interna-
tional trade centre (ITC) and its office, the governor directed the local MLA and the administration to submit the actual report on the status of ITC. Nagaland lone Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio, who also graced inauguration programme as guest of honour, highlighted the adoption of Longwa village and construction of Angh’s house. Rio adopted Longwa village on November 4, 2015. He said with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of developing India, all the Member of Parliaments were entrusted to utilize the MPLAD funds to adopt villages and make MP model villages. He said though the Angh’s house was just another house, it has a meaningful significance. According to him, since Nagas were spread all over the states of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal and Myanmar, apart from Nagaland, he had selected the residence of Longwa Village Angh; a village which is divided into Myanmar and India, as a symbol of peace and unity within Nagas.
Armed forces are answerable to govt, says SC
NEW DELHI, Oct 28 (PTI): Armed forces are answerable to the government, otherwise there will be martial law in the country, the Supreme Court said Friday. A bench of Justices Amitava Roy and U.U Lalit made this observation as it dismissed a plea seeking action against Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for allegedly interfering and claiming credit for the surgical strikes conducted by Army in PoK. “This plea is not maintainable and is hence dismissed. Armed forces are answerable to the government, otherwise you will have martial law in this country. We don’t see any merit in the plea,” the bench said. Advocate M L Sharma, who had filed the plea, said that Union Ministers including the Defence Minister had been claiming credit for the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army, for which they are not entitled to because as per the provisions of the Constitution, the President is the head of the armed forces. He alleged that the armed forces’ action was being used for the per(Cont’d on p-5) sonal interests of a few.
international, Page 9
CM reviews 4-lane work; asks contractors for quality roads
Zeliang along with officials and representative of the firms. (CMO)
DIMAPUR, OCT 28 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang on Friday asked the contractors and departmental officials to provide good quality roads to the people, saying roads are the lifeline of the public. CMO media cell through a press note said Zeliang, during the review meeting on the progress of the 4-lane highway work (Dimapur-Kohima) with the contractors, NHIDCL, Border Roads Organisation and officials of National Highways and Roads & Bridges, reminded them that people does not only want the project to be completed on time but to have high quality roads. “This is the first 4-lane project in the State and all eyes are on you,” he told
the representatives of the contractors, ECI Engineering and Construction Co Ltd and Gayatri-Maytas firms. The chief minister opined that works should first begin in areas where the road conditions were bad and sinking, so that the stretches in relatively good conditions could be spared for smooth flow of traffic. “The BRO has been dealing with the problems of sinking roads and landslides for so many years now that I feel they have become sort of experts in this field,” said Zeliang while suggesting the contractors to use their expertise. According to CMO, the firms said their priority was to complete the works even before the stipulated
time and at the same time keeping in mind the smooth flow of the traffic while the works are in progress. However, the firms expressed apprehension that in the process of executing the works, there may come a time when only one-lane road could be made available for traffic and sought cooperation from the government in regulating the flow of traffic. In areas where blasting of rocky mountains would be carried out with dynamites, the firms informed that traffic would have to stopped for 30 minutes or more for safety reasons. To this, the chief minister assured full cooperation to allow smooth flow of works. (Cont’d on p-5)
T.R. Zeliang sacks BJP legislator from ministry NVCO demands termination of backdoor appointees in H&FW
Correspondent
KOHIM, OCT 28 (NPN): In a major political development, Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang on Friday removed BJP MLA, Mmhonlumo Kikon from the post of parliamentary secretary (Labour Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Border Affairs) with immediate effect. This was stated in notification issued by cabinet secretary R.B. Thong on October 28, 2016.The BJP has four legislators and all of who are in the all-party DAN government. Though the reason was not made known, highly placed sources informed Nagaland Post that Kikon was probably removed because of his alleged antiNPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government activities, of which the BJP with four
legislators is also in alliance. When contacted, Nagaland state unit BJP president Visasolie Lhoungu disclosed that a state BJP party delegation met the chief minister earlier at his residence. At the meeting, he said the chief minister expressed disappointment against the activities of Kikon in addition the PIL filed in relation with the oil imbroglio. Lhoungu however said it was not known whether Kikon was sacked because of the oil issue or some other reason. He said if the chief minister has enough evidence of Kikon going against the interest of the government, then it was left to the state chief minister and his government to take action. When queried whether it would have any impact on the alliance of the state BJP party or Central party
leadership after the unceremonious and sudden removal of Kikon, Lhoungu said the Central leadership might not appreciate the decision. However, he presumed that as the NPF which was in alliance with the BJP, the chief minister must have taken the decision to sack Kikon after due consultation with Central party leadership. The BJP state president, Lhoungu also said he did not wish to comment on the issue for now, but reiterated that the party did not have any inkling or prior information about why its legislator was sacked from the T.R. Zeliang ministry. On the other hand, another party source claimed that the decision was taken after due consultation with the BJP party leaders and BJP legislators. Meanwhile efforts to
contact BJP legislature party leader Paiwang Konyak and Mmhonlumo Kikon proved futile. The sacking of Mmhonlumo from the T.R. Zeliang ministry could also reveal a larger strategy by the NPF to totally neutralise even any perceived criticism or ‘equi-distance’ shown with regard to current leadership and former chief minister and present Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio. During the revolt against the leadership of T.R. Zeliang in JanuaryFebruary 2015, the majority of NPF legislators sided with the Kaito-Noke group. During that crisis, three BJP legislators were with the anti-T.R. Zeliang group except for minister of transport Paiwang Konyak. Meanwhile, Mmhonlumo Kikon could not be contacted as he was reportedly out of station.
Nagaland tops in general HIV prevalence: report Correspondent
KO H I M A , O C T 2 8 (NPN): As per the HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) 2014-15 data, Nagaland state continues to top in the HIV general prevalence rate in the country with 1.29% (Cont’d on p-5) and third in the adult prevalence rate at 0.78%. This was stated by deputy director (M&E) NSACS, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo during the one-day sensitization and training for DPRO’s and media persons at the Directorate of the Information and Public Relation Office (DIPR), Kohima on Friday. As per the data of state-wise HIV prevalence among Antenatal Clinic (ANC) attendees, differences continued to exist in the prevalence rates across “They say kerosene is different geographical repoor people’s fuel. But it gions has become the item for The overall HIV prevathe rich.” lence among Antenatal
This is it!
Dalai’s Arunachal visit will damage ties: China warns India
Sports, Page 11
Need for equal development: Gov
Correspondent
Pages 12 ` 4.00
Clinic (ANC) attendees, considered proxy for prevalence among general population, continues to be low at 0.29% (90% CI: 0.28%0.31%). However, HSS data of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), under ministry of Health & Family Welfare, showed that the highest prevalence was recorded in Nagaland with 1.29%, followed by Mizoram (0.81%), Manipur (0.60%), Gujarat (0.56%) and Chhattisgarh (0.41%). Telangana (0.39%), Bihar (0.37%), Karnataka (0.36%) and Andhra Pradesh (0.35%) were other states which recorded HIV prevalence of more than the national average Nagaland is the first state to record an overall prevalence of more than 1% among ANC clients. Mizoram recorded an increase in prevalence among ANC clients on a year-to-year basis, the report stated.
A c c o r d i n g t o D r. Theyo, the data collected during April-September 2016 by NSACS, the age group 25-34 years stands highest in the State at 43%, 35-49 years with 31% and 15-24 years with 16%. She said the 91 % of the HIV transmission was through sexual route while parent to child was 6% and 2% remain unknown. To tackle the issue, Theyo said awareness and prevention was the only way. Speaking on the basics of HIV and AIDS, stigma and discrimination; assistant director (VBD) NSACS Alipoker said discrimination level had come down to a certain level, however the problem of stigma remains. Highlighting the HIV & AIDS statistics in Nagaland till September 2016, he said a total of 899158 blood samples were screened and out of which
20601 tested positive. He also informed that 14553 were on ART while AIDS related death stood at 1163. NSACS deputy director (IEC), Thejangunuo, who spoke on ‘media ethics and role of media in HIV response’, urged upon media persons to understand critical importance of HIV& AIDS in order to disseminate to all readers, audiences and viewers the right kind of knowledge on the issue. By highlighting positive stories, she said media would able to play a pivotal role in important personal and policy decisions. Earlier, director IPR Limawati Ao, in his welcome note urged upon media personnel and DIPR officials to be aware of the facts and figures of HIV & AIDS in the state, in order to create awareness and educate the people of the state.
Emilo K. Konyak
KO H I M A , O C T 2 8 (NPN): Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Association (NVCO) has demanded the state government to terminate 280 backdoor appointments in the Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department, saying “they had no genuine reason to clarify”. NVCO was reacting to the show cause notice issued by the H&FW to 280 employees who were appointed without sanctioned post during 2014-16. However, as the deadline for the show cause notice ended, the issue now lies with the state government whether to dismiss or suspend those backdoor appointees, sources informed Nagaland Post. When contacted NVCO president Kezhok-
hoto Savi told Nagaland Post, that around 300 backdoor appointments in the H&FW- (NVCO on June 5, 2016 revealed that as per RTI reply under H&FW 319 were appointed without any vacancy or approval of the government from 2014 to May 2016)- were done without sanctioned posts. He said the back door appointees, whether they reply to the show cause notice or not, should be terminated as state government was incurring huge loss due to payment of salaries. Savi also demanded that those responsible officers who had issued the appointments should also be penalized or their pension benefits stopped. As per RTI reply furnished by NVCO on June 5, 2016, the appointments were made by two retired principle directors from
2014-till May 2016, without any vacancy or approval of the government. However, Savi said the backdoor appointees have no genuine reason to respond on the show cause notice, saying “it was their own creation to get appointed”. Expressing dismay on the manner in which the state government was handling the case, Savi alleged that the failure of the government to penalise the erring officers has encouraged the trend to continue. In some cases, he claimed that politicians were the ones who exert pressure on officials for backdoor appointments. Sources also informed that those 280 back door appointees were of grade III and IV without sanctioned posts and approval of the state government.
condoles JNV Mon students lock down school DGovernor IMAPUR, OCT 28
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya locked down by students.
DIMAPUR, OCT 28 (NPN): Students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Mon have reportedly locked down the school to protest against the non-availability of PGT (Chemistry). According to the JNV Mon students, the whole school was locked down and no classes took place. They said teachers and students were not allowed to enter inside the academic block. The students stated that the post of PGT (Chemistry) has been lying vacant
since August 4, 2016, but till date the teacher has not been even though the session was about to end. Stating that their future has “turned into junk”, the students accused the authorities of not paying attention to their demand. Further, alleging that the authorities “profoundly condemned” them for the negligence of JNV Mon, the students said this compelled them to launch agitation. They affirmed that strike would continue until the problem was solved.
(NPN): Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya has expressed sadness to hear about the sudden demise of Hukato Naga in London on October 25. In a condolence message to Mrs. Deepika H. Naga, Acharya described her husband as an enterprising personality, a prominent businessman, social worker and a great human being. He said late Hukato, a self made businessman, was his friend with whom he had close interactions. Stating that his life story inspired many young budding entrepreneurs of the state, Acharya said Hukato’s demise was a great loss to the people of Nagaland and that his contributions for the development of the state will be remembered by all. Acharya conveyed heartfelt condolences to Mrs Deepika and family and prayed to Almighty to grant strength and solace to overcome the grief. He also prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace. K Y M C