Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVII No. 289
DIMAPUR, saturday, september 23, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00
‘Madman’ Kim Jong calls Donald Trump ‘dotard’
Levante maintain La Liga winning run
Boosting investment, banks’ growth major concerns : FM
international, page 9
sports, Page 11
business, Page 8
NE can become a major economic hub: Zeliang
Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 22 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang asserted that the North Eastern region, with its geographical advantage, could become a major trading and economic hub, connecting South East Asia and the ASEAN countries. Addressing the ‘4th Connect North-East Summit’ under the theme “Act East through Nagaland” at the NBCC Convention Centre Friday, Zeliang underscored the need for improved connectivity in the North-East region for further growth in the mostly landlocked area and better people-to-people connect. “North-East region is landlocked, except Assam, therefore air and road connectivity become the feasible options, and people have been using roads mostly because of the poor air connectivity,” he said. Informing a host of high profile dignitaries and investors present at the summit, Zeliang said Nagaland shared 215 km of international border and the eight states of the North-East shared over 5,300 km of border with five countries. In
Expedite tender process for SARDP project: NCSU DIMAPUR, SEP 22 (NPN): Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) has urged the state government and central ministry of transport and highway to expedite the process of inviting tender of SARDP Phase-I Project and ensure that local contractors were eligible to get the contract works under the programme. In a press release, NCSU president, Pele Khezhie, and general secretary, John Kath, expressed “serious concern” over the failure of the state government to implement the order ministry of transport & highway, cancelling the work order in respect of Maytas- Gayatri, a Hyderabad based Joint Venture (JV) for construction of various roads under SARDP-I in Nagaland, which was allotted to the company on February 4, 2011. NCSU stated that Maytas-Gayatri (JV), instead of completing the said project, had abruptly abandoned the construction work since 2014 causing untold hardship to general public. The union also pointed out that it had on several occasions submitted representations urging the ministry
CONNECT NORTH EAST SUMMIT, ACT EAST THROUGH NAGALAND
T.R Zeliang and others releasing the ‘Knowledge Paper’ during summit in Kohima on Friday. (NP)
this regard, he said it was imperative for the region to be developed in order to be the nerve centre for economic activity. “We can access the markets of South East Asian countries through Myanmar and therefore we need people-to-people contact with Myanmar,” he said. Apart from trade Zeliang exuded confidence that some mega projects, such as the trans-Eurasian Highway and the Trans Asian Railway, which will pass through North Eastern region, would not only connect the people, but the region to the world. He went on to stress on the need to enhance road and rail connectivity, between India and South East Asian countries, stating that it would be most practical if
it (road and rail connectivity) runs through Nagaland to Moreh border via Imphal, the route for which the battle of Kohima was fought during World War II. He reminded that the decisive and historic Battle of Kohima, fought during the 2nd WW, was for the control of the strategic Moreh-ImphalKohima-Dimapur route-the most vital route for the Japanese forces to enter the plains of India. Zeliang said in order to achieve these, the role of multilateral agencies was important and in this, extended invitation to Japan and Russia, whose delegates were attending the summit, to support the initiatives for better connectivity and economic resurgence. Zeliang also acknowl-
Fin deptt trying to confuse public: NPRAAF DIMAPUR, SEP 22 (NPN): Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAFF) has accused the Finance department (FD) of “trying to confuse the public by beating around the bush” with its hollowed clarifications, rather than responding to the points raised by it. I n a p r e s s n o t e, NPRAFF pointed out that it had raised issues on double drawals, CM Corpus Fund and Article 275 (1). However, NPRAFF said FD chose to ignore all other issues and concentrated only on double drawals, that too without disclosing the GoI sanction number. NPRAFF asked FD that if the double Drawal Authority (DA) was issued as per funds received from GoI under Article 275 (1), then why was the department not being able to disclose the GoI sanction number? Since the govern-
ment was answerable to the public, represented by various organizations/associations etc, it is the duty of the government to clearly clarify any doubts raised by the public through various NGOs, it said. Fur ther, NPRAFF brought out another issue wherein FD had released another Rs 12. 63 crore in 10 drawal authorities during 2016-17 dated December 9, 2016; February 23, 2017; March 6, 2017; March 17, 2017; four different DAs on March 18, 2017; March 20, 2017 and March 30, 2017. All these DAs relate to repair/renovations, retaining walls, boundary walls etc. out of which more than 90% of the DAs were spent for Planning Colony, Kohima, NPRAFF said. With of basic developmental needs yet to reach every nook and corner of the state, NPRAFF questioned the government whether it
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was justifiable to spend such huge amount for a single colony by a single department? And whether all the expenditures was need-based? NPRAFF however expressed doubts that if the same trend had been followed for past years, the amount released for repair/ renovations etc. could have cross several hundreds of crores of rupees. The forum maintained that equitable development should reach the public irrespective of their geographical locations. With regard to the clarification that the process of issue of DAs was for the sole purpose of placing the funds at the disposal of the concerned department for implementation of the programme, NPRAFF said if this was the case, then the FD was acting more like a Post Office receiving and releasing parcels (funds). (Cont’d on p-2)
Assault on Naga family condemned
DIMAPUR, SEP 22 (NPN): Coming out strongly against the attack on a Naga family by a group of around five to six nonNaga youth on the night of September 21 at Chumukedima, several organisations have expressed serious concern on the safety of local populace and asked the state govern(Cont’d on p-2) ment to take necessary measures. CNTC: Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has vehemently condemned the attack and demanded that a proper befitting action be taken by the authorities against those perpetrators. CNTC stated that the assault on the family by “these immigrants raises a very serious concern on the safety of our people in our own land.” Questioning the state government onwhat steps it had taken till date on the issue of illegal immigrants even after so many crimes were committed by them, CNTC cautioned that in the event the things go out of hand, the state government would be held accountable. Describing illegal immigrant issue as “greatest danger awaiting the Nagas and our coming generations”, the “ T h e e c o n o m y h a s CNTC alleged that the state government, slowed down. But that however, still looked the other way. At the present rate of influx, which is expected in a growth has risen to an alarming level, CNTC said: oriented policy.” “our coming generations has no future and
This is it!
edged the proposals of FICCI, who had been advocating for having the “North East ring Road”. He was of the view that such proposal should become a reality so that the road would run parallel to the international borders for about 4000 kms and connect the North Eastern States. On Japanese International Cooperation Agency funded (JICA) project, Zeliang said the project was implemented through department of Forest Environment and Climate Change, which he said, was one of the largest foreign funded projects in the state. The chief minister also welcomed other corporate houses to explore the potential of the region, particularly Nagaland, for investment.
will be wiped out completely by these immigrants.” Further, CNTC asserted that the crimes committed by “these people are danger signs and things to come in the coming days.” CNTC also demanded that Inner Line Permit (ILP) be properly implemented in all the districts and proper mechanism be installed to monitor it, adding that Nagas cannot afford to remain passive over this issue any longer. It also appealed to every tribal hoho to come together on the issue “for the sake of our coming generations or we will have to bear their curse forever.” Asserting that the patience of the people seemed to be running out, CNTC warned that if the government failed to address this issue at the earliest they would have to bear the responsibility of any eventuality. Further, CNTC expressed concern over the random issue of driving licenses, trade licenses, Aadhaar cards, vehicle permits and residential certificates by respective bodies to the outsiders without any thought of future consequences. It also termed as “very questionable and highly condemnable” the purported recruitment of “these immigrants” by some NPGs into their fold, saying it has defiled the very essence and the spirit of the Naga movement. (Cont’d on p-2)
On the occasion, Zeliang released the ‘knowledge paper’ and passed the baton to Arunachal Pradesh, where the next “5th NE Connect Summit” would be held in 2018. Taking note of the natural calamities in the region, Economic Minister, Embassy of Japan, Kenko Sone said Japan was ready to share its knowledge and expertise in disaster management. In his special address to the delegates, Sone informed the gathering that Japan had been offering extensive cooperation in the North-East region, ranging from road network connectivity, energy, water supply and sewage, forest resource management, biodiversity, people-to-people exchange, Japanese language education and post-war reconciliation, he said. Sone said NE region was located at a strategically and economically important juncture between India and South-East Asia as well as within BIMSTEC countries and therefore Japan placed particular importance on cooperation with the NorthEast region. He also said that the Japanese government, with a view to encouraging cultural cooperation with
Power supply to Mon disrupted DIMAPUR, SEP 22 (NPN): Department of power has informed that following the snapping of 66KV Tuli-Naginimora Transmission line near Kangtsung Yimsen the power supply to Mon district has been disrupted. In a press release, SDO (Trans) Mokokchung Transmission Division, stated that the transmission line was snapped after it was struck by lightning. Stating that all efforts were being made to restore power supply at the earliest, the department has requested the affected consumers to bear with the inconvenience.
the North-East, had initiated the “IRIS Programme” and would invite 25 young people from Nagaland and Manipur to Japan in October. Sone assured that the Japanese government would be committed to in developing the region. On behalf of Arunachal Pradesh chief minister, parliamentary secretary for Civil Aviation and Tourism, P.D Sona also invited the guest present to the ‘5th NE summit’ to be held at Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh in 2018. While highlighting the huge investment potential in the North Eastern Region (NER), Sona however said the foremost was to improve connectivity in order to attract investors. Sona cautioned that the dream of ‘Act East policy’ would remain unfulfilled unless NER has improved road and air connectivity. CEO of AirAsia, Amar Arbol in his special remark highlighted the activity of AirAsia in the region. Arbol said AirAsia aimed to bring more people from the region to the main stream and connect NE on three basis: to generate employment, to connect North East and bring more tourists
Ravi formally invites WC to peace process
R.N. Ravi (File) Tinakali Sümi
DIMAPUR, SEP 22 (NPN): In a major development, Government of India’s Interlocutor for Naga peace talks, R.N. Ravi informed Nagaland Post on Friday that he has formally invited the Working Committee (six Naga National Political Groups) to be part of the peace process. As Centre had been wanting to involve all stakeholders for an inclusive solution, Ravi said this was the reason why he had invited the working committee to be part of the peace process. Ravi and the Working Committee are scheduled to formally meet on September 27 in New Delhi. On September 4, Ravi had informed Nagaland (Cont’d on p-5) Post that he was likely to en-
gage the working committee in the peace process soon. Ravi reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to finding a permanent solution to Naga political issue to the “best possible satisfaction of the Naga people.” “The coming together of the six groups under a common platform for solution is an encouraging development,” he said. “We know that only an inclusive solution can bring enduring peace,” Ravi said, adding he had been in contact with Naga tribal and civil society organisations and eliciting their views. Ravi also reiterated that Centre does not desire to fragment the Naga issue, but wanted to have a “comprehensive solution by taking all the stakeholders on board”. He also informed that the decades old talks with NSCN (I-M) was in the “advanced stage”. Refusing to comment on speculations that Naga solution would arrive before state assembly elections 2018, Ravi said “conducting elections is the domain of Election Commission of India and I can’t comment on it.”
GT recruitment exam: NSF appeals state govt DIMAPUR, SEP 22 (NPN): Ahead of the written examination for recruitment of graduate teacher (mathematics and science) under school education department scheduled to be held on September 25, 2017, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has appealed to
the state government to give priority to Indigenous inhabitants of the state and also relax their eligibility criteria. In a representation addressed to the minister school education, the NSF president, Kesosul Christopher Ltu, and general secretary, Imtiyapang Imsong,
pointed out as per the record of educated unemployed (job seeker applicants) registered as on June 30, 2017, the number of unemployed stood at a staggering 68,210. Reminding that the job avenues in government sector have reached saturation (Cont’d on p-7)
Clarification to news item KO H I M A , S E P 2 2 (NPN): Apropos the news item “Kenye reacts to Rio’s statement”, Rajya Sabha MP and NPF secretary general K.G Kenye had stated that “Rio’s claim that there was no provision in the NPF constitution to impeach or remove the president, was baseless and untrue since a mechanism was already in place since inception of the party to take necessary disciplinary action on any party functionary including the president himself, if he/she goes against the decision/ policy of the party...” It is also clarified that the Constitution Amendment Committee was setup on July 13, 2015 and not as mentioned. Following the formation of the committee, Kenye had stated that an extensive exercise was carried out, after which its recommendations were placed before the CEC and forwarded to the General Convention for approval. Subsequently the recommendations were released on February 9. The inadvertent error in the report is regretted. (Correspondent) K Y M C