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Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 336
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
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Tuesday, December 10, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4
Leadership cannot really be taught. It can only be learned
Janlokpal Bill issue: Hazare accuses Centre of ‘betrayal’ [ PAGE 08]
Not working with Rekha: Big B
Hornbill Festival 2013 [ PAGE 02]
Thai PM dissolves Parliament, calls elections
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–Harold S. Geneen
Australia wins 2nd Ashes test [ PAGE 12]
[ PAGE 09]
[ PAGE 11]
individual rights clouded by community assertion
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
December 10 is International Human Rights Day Renchano Humtsoe Dimapur | December 9
Coming to the Nagaland was a truly unique experience? Oh please don’t talk about our roads.
Sumi Hoho calls for peace DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 9 (MExN): The Sumi Hoho has appealed for all Naga National Political groups to refrain from any sort of violence and intimidation. A press note from Sumi Hoho President, Hovishe Arkha and Secretary, Vihuto Assumi stated that Nagas are heading towards a common goal and “therefore every warring group should realize the need for close and mutual cooperation and understanding.” “Every Naga is craving for peace and unity and now it is high time that the groups listen to the voice of the people,” it added. The Sumi Hoho further urged the leaders of all groups to withdraw all armed cadres and confine them in their own designated camps. While extending “warm seasonal greetings to all National groups,” the Sumi Hoho stated that “it is hereby sending a strong worded message to all the warring groups that it will not extend cooperation to any group or groups resorting to violence.”
NSCN (K) releases 3 GPRN/NSCN cadres
Nagas pride themselves as being a close knit community. But, rarely does one examine who represents the community and how the majority silence the voice of the minority. As the world celebrates International Human Rights Day, in Nagaland, many people are intoxicated with festivity. Yet, there are many who instead of being at school are laboring. There are the abused wives and women, the disabled who yearn for basic verbal respect, and the poor without shelter or food. Nagaland has seen and heard enough of human rights abuses, but the abuses caused by the community and within the community are barely reflected upon. “In a community centric society governed by patriarchal ethos, the less privileged or the subjects of the system (women, children, disabled and marginalized) get sidelined,” states Eyingbeni Humtsoe, faculty of Theology at Clark A Naga man in traditional attire drinks rice beer from a buffalo horn after a dance performance, Theological College, Moduring the Hornbill festival at Kisama, Nagaland. The 10-day long festival named after the Horn- kokchung. “Their humanity gets devalued, their voices bill bird showcases the tradition and cultural heritage of the indigenous Nagas. (AP Photo)
are muzzled.” Human Rights Day was declared in 1950 by the UN General Assembly, to bring to the attention “of the peoples of the world” the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.” But, how successful have Nagas been in implementing international human rights standards at the community level. According to Rosemary Dzuvichu, Coordinator, Human Rights Legal Network, Nagaland Division; even after decades of talking about violation of “our” human rights and celebrating Human Rights Day, there are lots of “debatable” questions about human rights within Naga society. “…In the first place, Naga society does not seem to understand that women rights are also human rights.” The other concern, Rosemary expresses is that Nagaland is one of the only few states yet to set up a State Human Rights Commission, which has been made mandatory in every state by the Supreme Court. Rosemary opines that it is the onus of the government
ery individual is created in the image of God and loved individually by God, it is primarily the individual person who is the rightsbearer, not the community.” He adds, “Human rights apply to individuals before they apply to communities.” He emphasizes that a community that does not respect every individual member’s rights runs the danger of losing its moral right to make human rights claims, and a community that does not take wrongdoing against individuals within its community seriously is an “undignified” community whose talk of human rights is as “vacuous” as it is “hypocritical”. Meanwhile, Eyingbeni suggests a three tier response – Change of attitude/perception. She stresses on building a culture of respecting ALL human beings. The other is to put legislation in place, followed by its sincere execution. Rosemary also asserts on the urgent need to establish the Human Rights Commission in Nagaland, while affirming there has to be a “huge” gender sensitization of the whole community and society.
irB personnel accused of assault Gennext: festival,
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 9 (MExN): The Thahekhu Village Council (TVC) has alleged that on December 3, two persons were on the receiving end of “senseless ire and physical assault” from a group of 10th IRB personnel of B’Coy. A press note from the TVC informed that that the incident occurred when Kakheho (Dennis) Yeputhomi, Chairman of the TVC and Hokugha Awomi were “reprimanding” some youths in the “Sumi dialect” for bursting crackers. It informed that a group of IRB personnel, who were also “trying to quell the boisterous crowd,” assaulted the two victims. It alleged that the IRB personnel used “exple-
tive words and utterances.” It further stated that the two were forcibly “shoved” into a police vehicle and handed over to the west police station “without any rhyme or reason.” The TVC stated that this incident is being viewed very seriously as an “intentional and malicious intent to harass and subdue a particular race of people.” It affirmed that the two victims did “nothing untoward that could have provoked such unwarranted physical assault and public humiliation.” The TVC has called upon the authority concerned to clarify the reason for the accused IRB personnel’s “animosity towards the Sumi tribe.” It further
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 9 (MExN): The NSCN (K) has informed that “considering the volatile situation surcharged by unprovoked attack and killing of three Naga Army personnel at Sukiur village by KhehoiIndians, four Khehoi workers who were apprehended the next day by Naga Army, NSCN at Doyang deemed to have been executed.” However, a press note from Col Vikato Yeptho, Commander, Designated Camp Suruhoto stated that “honouring the entreaty of Sumi Hoho led by senior advisors, Hokishe Yeptho and Vitokhe Assumi along with incumbent President Chizokho Vero and colleagues, the NSCN/ Kisama | December 9 GPRN exercised magnanimity and has released the detainees unconditionally.” The Hornbill Festival 2013 has so far registered over 1.62 lakh visitors, with foreign, domestic and local tourist visiting the main venue at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. At the end of the 8th day, 1,62,318 visitors, including 1347 foreign tourists DIMAPUR, DECEM- visited the festival according to a statistics BER 9 (MExN): The NSCN accessed by The Morung Express through (IM) today negated the “un- state’s tourism department. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Neiphiu founded allegation of the 29 AR against James Chi- Rio today said there has been overwhelmshi through local media on ing response from both foreign and doDecember 7, just because mestic tourists as well as the local visitors. The number of visitors is likely to cross his father happens to be a worker of the genuine Naga over 2 lakh, the largest ever turn up since cause.” A MIP press note the start of the festival in 2001. The last day “advised the AR not to freely of the festival is expected to pull the maxiintrude and harass inno- mum number of visitors. The Chief Minister cent public under the pre- expressed hope that the inflow of visitors to text that one’s near and dear the festival would increase in the years to one are national pioneers.” come. Rio further stated that Nagaland has It stated that the “law en- become a safe destination for tourists and forcing authority is expect- that during the Hornbill festival; one can ed to release the innocent witness the beautiful culture and tradition victim of such malicious of all the different tribes of Nagas. The ten day long festival will conclude force at earliest.” It urged all Naga NGOs and social lead- on December 10. Cultural performance ers to “condemn such false by different Naga tribes will commence allegations and harassment at 10:00 AM till 12:00 Noon (Morning of innocent public during session) and it will resume at 1:00 PM this ongoing hard earned till 2:30 PM on December 10. The Grand finale of Hornbill 2013 will witness bonpeace process.”
stated that the incident is “one of the not so uncommon cases related to abuse of people on tribal lines.” The TVC informed of incidents when motorists are stopped by the IRB personnel on duty and asked which tribe they belong to. “This may be a general query but it is truly astounding,” it added. “What gives these uniformed men the right to abuse, insult, humiliate and assault people irrespective of age, social standing or background without ascertaining relevant facts according to their whims and fancy under the delirious influence of alcohol?” the TVC questioned. It queried if the impunity offered by the state machinery
is the reason behind these “disgustingly absurd nonchalance and disregard for people when they are the so called protectors of the common man.” “If these incidents are just one of the very few cases due to some rogue individuals within the fold; why let a rotten apple spoil the whole sack?” the TVC stated. The TVC urged upon the competent authority to identify the individuals concerned and award stringent and befitting punishment to the prime accused. It further called for discharge of the personnel concerned from active service or strict disciplinary measures on the erring personnel, “to avoid communal tension.”
10 day Hornbill festival culminates today
NSCN (IM) negates AR allegations
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to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected. The government, she says, is supposed to be implementing protection of people’s right, citizens’ rights, women’s rights, and child rights. However, she adds, “ when the policy makers and the government itself does not recognize the validity of these rights then it gives a lot of space to the public and to people who keep on violating these rights.” Dr. Kethoser Kevichusa, Ministry Associate, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, on the other hand, opines that Nagas have an increasing sense, discourse, and culture of ‘human rights’. “But we need to be careful not to invoke the language and claims of human rights only when it concerns our rights and only when injustices are meted out to us,” he says. “We also need to be careful to balance the notion and vocabulary of ‘rights’ with that of ‘responsibilities’.” Often, in Nagaland, individual rights are overshadowed by the voice of the community. Presenting a Christian perspective, Kethoser states, “Since ev-
A view of the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, the main venue for the Hornbill Festival.
fire lighting by Miss Nagaland 2013. Unity dance by cultural troupes and visitors has been scheduled at 4:00 PM. The grand finale of Airtel presents Hornbill International Rock Contest 2013 will also take place simultaneously at Naga Solidarity Park. Simultaneously, the Hornbill night carnival will continue in Kohima main town. The Hornbill Festival is a cultural extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage, while for the visitors; it is a means for comprehensive understanding of the Naga people, their land and culture. The Tourism department stated that the Hornbill festival is the coming togeth-
er of all the elements that make up the total Nagaland. The Festival is a tribute to the “Hornbill,” the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas, for its qualities of alertness and grandeur. Attraction of the Hornbill festivals 2013 included, Hornbill marathon/half marathon, international Hornbill rock contest, Kids carnival, motor rally, cycle rally, Naga king chilli eating competition, Hornbill master chef, National Hornbill dance competition, choral competition, Miss Nagaland Beauty Pageant, fashion show, Naga wrestling, literature festival, artists’ corner, snooker championship, zip lining adventure, World War II Vintage peace car rally, Hornbill night carnival etc.etc.
Music and sex Naro Longchar
Kohima | December 9
scarring their young lives. For some, unwanted pregnancies and abortions are the high price for a ‘fun night out’. According to NSACS 60-65% of the current HIV/AIDS prevalent rate of Nagaland state falls in the age group of 15 to 45 years, which is the most productive age group of the society. This data suggests that sexual activity is quite a phenomenon among young people. “I was discussing with my students about their preparation for December and shopping for Christmas dresses; then a student commented that shopping for Christmas dresses was not an issue, they can always get by with their Sunday best. But the bigger issue was what to wear for Hornbill Festival,” says Avino, a concerned school teacher. We are already seeing glimpses of subtle prostitution and are hardly oblivious of the fact that young girls residing in various hostels are picked up in anonymous vehicles in the dead of night. With the commercialization of the Hornbill Festival and tourist flocking in under the face of rampant unemployment, poverty, and lack of opportunity for the growing generation of Naga youth, who is to say that the state could soon become a “second Thailand” where commercial and sex tourism is the major source of national income. A time will come when prostitution will become a way of living and earning income for many young people in Nagaland. In all the frenzy of image building and boosting Nagaland’s tourism prospect, are we conscious about the dangers that we are opening the younger Naga generation to? Are we encouraging them towards their own pitfalls in the name of festivals and celebrations?
With the onset of the chill in the air, came the anticipation of December with its promise of warmth and love, bonfires and gifts, Christmas carols and family get-togethers. At least, that was the December that ‘used to be’. Now, with Hornbill Festival’s larger than life presence, all the excitement has been channeled towards the preparation and celebration of the festival. For the last couple of days Hornbill has been the talk of the town and to visit it is on everyone’s to do list with its day to day events splashed across the local dailies. As the festival takes the state over by storm, the most keyed up section of populace in the midst of all the chaotic excitement are the young people. For most of the young Nagas, ‘music’ and the related enjoyment surrounding it is the quintessence of the Hornbill Festival. In fact, cultural programs and educational activities are of little or no importance to this group of people. Nagas have a tendency of associating social music with drugs, alcohol and merry making which often results in casual and unprotected sex. Nagaland is a music lover’s abode, with concerts and gigs held all round the year and Hornbill Festival’s rock fest presents the perfect prospect for young people, who flock in from all corners of the state exclusively to witness the mega event of the year. For music enthusiasts, the rock fest is the ultimate crème de la crème of all shows. However, the rock fest and in fact the entire festival opens up a window of opportunity for young people especially teenagers who normally stay grounded for most part of the year. They are often swayed This piece is the fifth in a series of arby all the festivity around them and ticles on the discourse around and on the with lowered inhibitions under the Hornbill Festival, with the view to initiinfluence of alcohol; many wind up ate reflection and dialogue.
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