Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVII No. 293
DIMAPUR, wednesday, september 27, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00
Erdogan warns Iraqi Kurds over independence vote
18th NSF Martyrs’ Memorial trophy kicks off
Don’t take up arms: Rawat to Assam youth
international, Page 9
sports, Page 12
northeast, Page 4
life in Longleng India, US reaffirm to combat terror 12-hour bandh hits normal Foundation stone laid for polytechnic
NEW DELHI, SEP 26 (AGENCIES): India and the US on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to combat the global scourge of terrorism when visiting US Defense Secretary James Mattis called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here. Mattis also held talks with Indian leaders on Tuesday, vowing to jointly stamp out militant sanctuaries and seeking India’s greater involvement in helping to stabilise Afghanistan. The comments come as President Donald Trump’s administration has stepped up pressure on Pakistan for more action against militant groups operating from its soil that are blamed for attacks in India and neighbouring Afghanistan. Islamabad denies giving material support to the militants and instead accuses its arch-rival of trying to use Afghanistan as a base for anti-Pakistan activities. But Mattis, the Trump administration’s first cabinet official to visit India, said the two countries would work together to fight terrorism. “There can be no tolerance of terrorist safe havens,” he said in a state-
Mini-bus service in parts of Dmu DIMAPUR, SEP 26 (NPN): Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Dimapur has resolved to introduce mini-bus services in parts of Dimapur in the initial phase from ISBT to nine destinations. In a press release, DC and chairman RTA Dimapur, said the destinations include Chumukedima, New Chumukedima, Pherima, Medziphema, Kukidolong, Khanakhuri, Niuland, Shokhuvi and Dhansiripar area. Further, any individual or group interested in applying for the same has been informed to contact District Transport Office (DTO) Dimapur for necessary information.
NVC informs public
DIMAPUR, SEP 26 (NPN): Nsong Village Council (NVC) has prohibited plying of heavy vehicles on Miguiki bridge and Herajambak bridge as the bridges were on the verge of collapse. In a statement, NVC chairman, Namkie said that the council inspected the bridges on September 8 and found that two bridges that connect Nsong areas to Assam and Manipur were on the verge of collapse. Therefore, NVC warned that it would not be held responsible for any untoward incidents and asked the public to take adherence for safety until further notice.
This is it!
“From Rs.1crore, only Rs. 50 lakh is left after deductions. How can I complete it?” K Y M C
Pak spy accuses his own intel agency of ‘protecting’ terrorists
Jim Mattis calls on Narendra Modi on September 26.
ment. “As global leaders, India and the United States resolve to work together to eradicate this scourge.” Stating that Modi recalled his “wide-ranging, candid, and fruitful discussions” with President Donald Trump in June this year, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement: “They also discussed enhanced cooperation, regionally and globally, in pursuing shared priorities for peace, stability and combating terrorism.” “Both sides had reaffirmed their resolve to further develop their strong strategic partnership,” the PMO statement said. Defence ties between India and the United States have expanded rapidly, with New Delhi buying U.S.
weapons worth $15 billion over the last decade, moving away from traditional supplier Russia. Military experts say U.S. weapons transfers aim at bolstering Indian capabilities to develop a counterweight against China’s growing assertiveness in recent years. Indian and US negotiators are now trying to move forward with a deal to supply the Indian navy with 22 Sea Guardian drone aircraft, whose June approval by the US government was the first such clearance to a non-NATO ally. India wants the unarmed drones to help its navy lengthen the duration of its surveillance in the Indian Ocean, where Chinese naval ships and submarines make regular forays.
A Pakistani intelligence officer has accused his own spy agency of “protecting” terrorists and filed a petition in a court here requesting for a thorough probe in the matter, a media report said on Tuesday. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Shahzad, a serving assistant sub- inspector of Intelligence Bureau (IB), has accused his senior officers of not taking action against terrorism suspects. In a petition filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), he requested the court to refer the matter to the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) for a thorough probe, Dawn reported. The IHC Registrar’s Office fixed the petition before Justice Aamer Farooq who referred the case yesterday to Chief Justice Mohammad Anwar Khan Kasi, with a note that the matter may be transferred to Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui since an identical matter is pending in his court, the paper quoted a court official as saying. (Full report on p-9)
A deserted look of Longleng town during the bandh on Thomas Lotha along with others after unveiling the foundation Tuesday. (NP) stone of Yungho Yongnyah polytechnic institute on Tuesday.
Correspondent
LONGLENG, SEP 26 (NPN): Normal life was affected at Longleng town on Tuesday following a 12-hour bandh called by 22 aggrieved villages under Longleng circle and spearheaded by Hukphang, Orangkong and Bhumnyu (HOB) youth organization Longleng town against the government’s move to go ahead with the foundation stone laying programme of government polytechnic at Yungho Yongnyah Longleng. Roads at Longleng town wore a deserted look, government offices, bank, educational institutions and business establishments
remained closed while vehicular movement came to a grinding halt during the total bandh from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hundreds of volunteers were deployed at various locations to enforce total bandh, which passed off peacefully without any untoward incident. Besides medical, military, police, media and fire and emergency service, the movement of pedestrian and vehicles was also restricted during total shutdown. Police, IRB personnel and officials from district administration were also deployed at various places around the town to ensure that no untoward incident occurred.
Need for comprehensive plan KVYO backs ACAUT’s to tackle illegal immigrants public rally resolution DIMAPUR, SEP 26 (NPN): Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), while condemning the recent daring assault on a Naga family by illegal immigrants in Chumukedima, urged upon the state government to come out with a comprehensive and strategic plan to resolve the issue before it becomes “too overwhelming to handle”. NTC said booking the culprits alone would not settle the issue on the huge presence of illegal and foreign nationals in the state. NTC pointed out that the recent attack may be just a “stray incident”, however, spoke volumes of what was going to happen to the sons of the soil anytime in Nagaland. “The fragility of the local Nagas, the mercantile attitude of the concerned authorities on ground and the lack of political will of people in authority contribute to namesake governance”, NTC said. Therefore, NTC reminded the government that unless proper
mechanism was put in place, the intruders will take advantage of the vulnerable citizens and “lackadaisical and inefficient government” and continue to indulge in nefarious activities at their whims. Nagaland Tribes Council has also expressed dismay that the assailants of L. Doulo, a Naga prominent entrepreneur in Dimapur, were reportedly allowed to be at large without single of them being booked. “The lethargy of the district administration and police gives the impression that the state Govt. is abetting much crime in Nagaland”, NTC said. It therefore, appealed to the state government not to spare such crime mongers. Pointing out that delay in booking the culprits will encourage anti-people elements to take undue advantage of the gullible citizens, NTC has appealed to the responsible authority to arrest those criminals without further delay.
DIMAPUR, SEP 26 (NPN): Kohima Village Youth Organisation (KVYO) and ACAUT on Tuesday held a joint meeting, wherein both the organizations dwelt at length on the public resolutions adopted on August 25 during ACAUT’s mass public rally at Dimapur. In a press note, KVYO vice president, Dzuvinguzo Mepfhuo informed that five-member ACAUT team led by co-convenor Joel Naga apprised KVYO office bearers led by its president, Medozhatuo Rutsa deliberated on the contentious issues concerning the state in general. KVYO extended its support to the demands put forth to the state government through the public rally. However, KVYO was of the opinion that considering the increasing case of corruption without any check and balance in the functioning of the government, the pressing need of the hour was to set up the Lokayukta. Supporting the public rally resolution, demanding passage of Lokayukta Bill in the state assembly by September 2017, KVYO impressed upon the state government to fulfil the voice of the public. Further, KVYO also urged upon the state government to immediately fulfil the public demand for termination of all backdoor appointments made after June 6, 2016. It also asked the government to uphold the PR&AR Order and requisition all such vacant post to the NPSC for competitive examinations.
Parliamentary secretary Technical Education, N Thomas Lotha, on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for government polytechnic institute at Yungho Yongnyah under Longleng district. Speaking on the occasion, Thomas Lotha said that laying of foundation stone alone was not enough, but making it one of the best polytechnic institutes in the state. In this regard, he said land owners and the area people needed to create congenial atmosphere for the department to carry out the construction and other developmental activities at the earliest to make this institute a reality. Further, he appealed to the responsible public
PIL seeks shifting of dumping site DIMAPUR, SEP 26 (NPN): A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Gauhati High Court, Kohima bench seeking issuance of appropriate direction to shift the existing Dimapur Municipal Counicl (DMC) dumping site located at Sunrise Colony Burma Camp, Dimapur. The PIL filed by Sunrise colony came up before Justice S Serto on September 19, 2017. The court after hearing the counsel for the petitioner issued notice to respondents, returnable within four weeks. In a press release, Sunrise Colony secretary, Athempu Kamei, said that the colony was compelled to approach the court since there was no positive outcome from the meeting with parliamentary secretary Municipal Affairs August 12, 2017.
leaders from Phom community and public in general to cooperate with the government to bring much needed development to Longleng district. In order to bring development to the district, Thomas said the Phom people should understand to work with the government of the day. Parliamentary secretary land resource development and excise, BS Nganlang, thanked the state government and department of technical education for the concern shown for the development of backward area. He also requested the public to extend full cooperation till the completion of work. (Cont’d on p-8)
NPRAAF lauds P&C deptt DIMAPUR, SEP 26 (NPN): Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has lauded the Planning & Co-ordination (P&C) department for bringing out the details 17 hostel projects funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and the list of beneficiaries of CM Corpus Fund 2016-17. NPRAAF stated that while the Finance department was beating around the bush only with the issue of double drawal, the P&C department came out with details though the GoI sanction order/letter number was not revealed by neither regarding the construction of 17 hostels under Article 275 (1). With the hope that other departments would also take a cue from the Planning department, NPRAAF said it would be looking into irregularities into various departments from time to time. Reminding the P&C department about the release of Rs 31.90 crore (March 31, 2017) and Rs 19.89 crore (June 29, 2017) which also came under Article 275 (1), NPRAAF said there was no break-up details as for what kind of “activities” the amounts were released. NPRAAF in this regard urged the Planning department to come out with all details as in the case of 17 hostels and CMCF so as to allay any public opinion about misappropriation/ fake/doubtful “activities.” Such information to public regarding funds received under Article 275 (1) would enhance the public image of the department, it added. (Cont’d on p-8)
Dispute over royalty: G&M deptt. reacts to EF&CC deptt CNTC weclomes Centre’s DIMAPUR, SEP 26 (NPN): Drawing attention to the Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the principal secretary, department of environment, forest & climate change (EF&CC) concerning Nagaland Minor Mineral Concession Rules (NMMCR), the department of Geology and Mining (G&M) has stated that the question of confusion between the two departments jurisdictions and maintaining status quo at the direction of the principal secretary appeared to be “irrational.” In a press release, G&M director, Wanthang Rengma, pointed out that the Nagaland Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2004 (NMMCR 2004) was framed under section 17 of the Nagaland (Ownership and Transfer of Land and its Resources) Act, 1990 (Act 1 of 1993) in line with the special provision of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.
G&M director said the same was also laid in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and notified in the Nagaland Gazette Extraordinary No. 52 dated March 1, 2005 and the authorised nodal department to enforce the aforesaid rule in the G&M department. The director stated that the aforesaid rule came into force from the date of its publication in the Nagaland Gazette Extraordinary March 1, 2005. However, G&M director said the department could not operationalise the aforesaid rules as forest department continued to collect royalty on sand and gravels, boulders etc till date. In the meantime, the director said that as per rules of executive business, the G&M department was made responsible to answer all legal and illegal issues pertaining to extraction of minor, major minerals including old involving both within and
outside the state. The director stated that the department has to attend various court cases, important court verdicts, file affidavits and regularly submit data/information on various minerals sought by the parliament/central government. However, in absence of legal framework, the G&M director said the normal functioning of the department was adversely affected. Further, drawing attention to the forest department’s claim that rock, sand, minerals, stones, boulders, limestone, laterite, mineral oils and all minerals produce from mines and quarries as forest produce stating that it was listed in the Nagaland Forest Act, 1968 and the Nagaland Jhumland Act, 1970, the G&M director pointed out that when the Nagaland Coal Policy and Rules, 2006 came into force, the said issue was deliberated at high-
est level on October 11, 2011 in the conference hall of the chief secretary, Nagaland. At the meeting, the G&M director said that the forest department was directed to take steps to amend the Nagaland Forest Act, 1968 as coal was listed as mining produce in the Nagaland (Ownership and Transfer of Land and its Resources) Act, 1990. Therefore, the G&M director said that the minerals including coal and mineral oil fall within the jurisdiction of G&M department even as per Rules of Executive Business of the government. Also, the director said that with the coming into force of the NMMCR, 2004, under rule 2, any rules pertaining to quarrying or collection of royalty on minor minerals within the state of Nagaland from forest or non-forest areas contained in any rules of Nagaland immediately before the com-
mencement of these rules were repealed from the date of its notification. G&M director also reminded that the review committee constituted under the chairmanship of the additional chief secretary & development commissioner has already issued recommendation dated November 30, 2016 to operationalise the NMMCR, 2004 immediately, pending finalisation of the amendment part, which was under consideration of the government/committee. Stating that the forest department was represented in the said meeting at the rank of CCF and joint secretary, the director said the state government based on that had notified for operationalisation of NMMCR, 2004 signed by the chief secretary Nagaland, adding that under the strength of the said notification, the department of G&M was now implementing the aforesaid rules.
move to invite WC for talks
DIMAPUR, SEP 26 (NPN): Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has welcomed the move of the Government of India (goI) to invite the Working Committee (WC) of the NNPGs for talks, saying that the Centre has proved its seriousness to expedite the peace talks in finding a lasting and honourable solution on the protracted Naga issue. In a statement, CNTC also appreciated GoI’s Interlocutor, R.N. Ravi for hearing the pleas made by Nagaland Tribes Council, Nagaland GB Federation and different tribal hohos, for inclusion of all groups in the ongoing talks. “The GoI under the able leadership of our PM Narendra Modi has shown an extraordinary statesmanship and sincerity in trying to solve this long issue who understood that when it is one goal and aspiration why some should be left out”, CNTC said. Further, CNTC extended appreciation to NBCC for the continuous fervent prayers and hoped that “with this step and new era will dawn in and the long unfulfilled aspirations of the Nagas may be fulfilled”. Meeting today: The meeting between GoI and WC delegation would be held on September 27 at 11 a.m. in Delhi. Sources said that the meeting would be held between GoI representative R.N. Ravi and an 18member WC delegation led by its convenor N Kitovi Zhimomi. On September 22, R.N. Ravi informed Nagaland Post that he had formally invited the Working Committee (six Naga National Political Groups) to be part of the peace process. K Y M C