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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 126
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www.morungexpress.com
Saturday, May 10, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
Taylor Swift debuts her latest footwear collection
[ PAGE 8]
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Torechu calls for quality edu, good moral and unity [ PAGE 2]
Thai protesters bent on toppling ‘Thaksin regime’ [ PAGE 9]
By Sandemo Ngullie
Morung Express news Dimapur | May 9
If vegetables were cheap and affordable I wouldn’t be here selling them.
The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Are the modernday Nagas willing to overcome and go beyond tribalism? no
Others
Adjourned poll in Ladigarh Kohima, may 9 (DiPR): Commissioner Nagaland also the Returning Officer, Nagaland Parliamentary Election 2014 Temjen Toy has issued an order on completion of adjourned poll under 49/1-Ladigarh under 49-Tamlu (ST) in Longleng district. The adjourned poll will be held in “Temporary Shed near Piching Nullah, in compliance with Election Commission of India directive to hold the poll at alternate place in nearby location other that LP School Ladigarh which is under dispute.” The adjourned poll will be taken on May 10, 2014 (Saturday) between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
TUD not to participate in NTC proposed rally DimaPUR, may 9 (mExN): The Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD) has decided not to participate in the NTC-proposed-andorganized rally on May 13 in Dimapur. In an emergency meeting held on May 9 at the TUD Complex, the Union discussed the proposed rally and resolved that the TUD is not a member of the NTC, and that the Government of Nagaland has constituted a review Committee on the Rongmei Tribe Recognition, for which reports are still awaited. Based on these points, the decision not to participate in the proposed rally was taken, informed Joint Secretary of TUD, L. Kamo, in a press release.
Pope encourages redistribution of wealth
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VaTiCaN CiTy, may 9 (REUTERs): Pope Francis told U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday that the world body must do more to help the poor and should encourage the “legitimate redistribution” of wealth. Francis, who since his election last year has often called for significant changes to economic systems, made his comments in an address to Ban and heads of many U.N. agencies meeting in Rome. “In the case of global political and economic organization, much more needs to be achieved, since an important part of humanity does not share in the benefits of progress and is in fact relegated to the status of second-class citizens,” Francis said.
Serena pulls out of Madrid Open with injury
–Confucius
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‘We need visionary leadership’
reflections
Yes
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If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people Indian political parties gloss over environment
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A girl holds a candle during a rally to pay tribute to the victims and missing passengers of the sunken ferry Sewol, in Ansan, South Korea, Friday, May 9. South Korean prosecutors are seeking to formally arrest the head of the company that owns the doomed ferry in part of their investigation into its sinking last month that left more than 300 people, mostly high school students, dead or missing, officials said Friday. (AP Photo)
The possible change of leadership in Nagaland State government might signify a politically tumultuous turn, on one hand. On the other, it is an opportunity for the people of Nagaland to project the kind of leadership required to take the State forward, which, according to them is yet to happen. “We need visionary leadership,” says lecturer Dr. Maongsangba. The lack of vision, a sense of honesty and sincerity in the current leadership, he feels, has kept Nagaland State economically backward—power, roads, drinking water have remained missing from the charts after 50 years of State governance; corruption has gone unchecked in all State departments. While the Naga political issue has been used as an electioneering card, leaders have not bothered with it when in office. Thus, the mistakes made in the past should be taken into account by the new leadership, observes church and social worker, Y. Nuklu Phom. “We need leaders who see through visions—a leader should be able to see the signs of our times and take appropriate steps to address them,” he feels. But that is not all. Nagaland is in need of leaders who can build new leaders, as well as facilitate the “convergence of ideas” instead of letting varied ideas divide the Naga people, who, according to Phom, might be culturally ahead but are yet to “be civilized.” “We need a Naga Nelson Man-
• Integrity and vision • A sense of accountability • Experience • Commitment • Sincerity • Facilitate convergence of ideas dela,” suggests Professor Lanunungsang, “who can lead the Nagas beyond the villages!” A new leader, according to the Professor, must rise above their “cocoons” and prove to be a leader beyond tribal and regional lines. While he feels that all the contenders for Nagaland’s top job are “good leaders,” “we need a person of high stature with experience, commitment, a sense of accountability, a vision and a good team of advisors.” The leader should have a “clear vision” of settlement of the Naga political issue, and lead the Naga people to a level higher than the Nagaland State—one who can project the dreams and voices of the Naga people beyond the State—to also a new government at the centre. This needs to be supplemented with a way to “connect with people at the grassroots,” iterates senior citizen Khrielenuo Terhuja, who first came to Dimapur when there were no schools here. “It was through the effort of people who gave their time to society instead of running behind government jobs that boosted education,” she says. Similarly, any leader for Nagaland State must promise
only what s/he can deliver, must deliver at least what they promise and be able to talk to all sections of the society, not just the elite. Education, according to her, has taken a beating in the lack of good leadership and “where there is no education, there is no progress.” Hekali Zhimomi agrees. “There are many anomalies in the way education is conducted in Nagaland State. These need to be addressed by any new leader, apart from all round development,” she offers. Zhimomi reiterates the view of other commentators when she suggests that Nagaland State now needs someone with “integrity and vision” to lead the people, “someone who can see and understand problems our people are facing and address the issues accordingly—someone who can take along all sections of the society and various communities, and give a voice to everyone.” Resounding these words, Huzo Meru calls for “integrity and vision” while stressing on the need for a change in leadership. “Communication, especially roads, education, health, water—basics like these are not available in the State. Present set of leaders only think of themselves and amassing wealth. Any new leader needs to have a vision for the welfare of our people,” says Meru. But a holistic change, where corruption is rooted out through a good economy, can be brought, according to him, when the youth, women and the church “come in a big way in the next election”.
302 voters in Yanglok village to vote in makeshift PS Troubled by rift, Rio appeals for party unity Morung Express news
Yanglok village (Longleng) | May 9
Three hundred and two (302) voters in Yanglok village will exercise their franchise on May 10, Saturday, in a makeshift polling station at Polling Station 1 under 49 Tamlu Assembly Constituency. The villagers were supposed to cast their votes along with the rest of the State on April 9 for the Lok Sabha seat from Nagaland. However, the polling station, which is the LP School, Ladigarh has been occupied by the Assam Police, who refused to vacate the school and disallowed voting on April 9. The Election Commission of India directed that polling be held on May 10, but asked the CEO Na-
galand to establish a polling station in “some alternative place” so that the villagers can exercise their franchise. The Yanglok Village Council chairman Shingnyu Phom informed this evening that the villagers have prepared a “makeshift polling station in the jungle” this evening. When asked if there is provision for electricity and other amenities, the chairman simply said there is none. “What can you get in the jungle?” Interestingly, the villagers exercised their franchise during the 2013 Assembly Elections in a ‘makeshift polling station’ too. They could not exercise their franchise in 2009 LS Elections for the same reason: The Assam Police refused to allow the Nagaland
election officials to use the LP School, Ladigarh – the designated polling station – for election purposes. Meanwhile, officials from the district administration and police from both the districts of Mokokchung and Longleng, and also top bureaucrats from Kohima are stationed at Yanglok to oversee the smooth conduct of the polls tomorrow. An official disclosed that adequate security has been arranged in case of any eventuality. Though it remains uncertain how the polls will go on Saturday, all eyes are on Polling Station 1 49 Tamlu A/C because it involves not only an election issue but also the border issue between the two sister states of Nagaland and Assam.
DimaPUR, m ay 9 (mExN): In the wake of reports that the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) is divided into two opposing camps as two senior Ministers battle it out to succeed Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is expected to move to Delhi as the next Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Nagaland, Rio today issued a statement appealing for party unity. “I am deeply concerned and saddened by the current scenario in the party and the State Government. The most important concern is that the NPF led DAN Government must be able to provide a stable
government under a spirit of unity, understanding and oneness. Such an approach is the only way to provide development, progress and economic growth as we continue to strive towards peace,” stated a rare press communiqué issued by Rio himself. Terming it a “crucial juncture,” Rio stated that it was of “paramount importance that the NPF stay united for the sake of the people, who have given their mandate to us.” In this regard, the CM has appealed to all sections of the party and the elected members “to come together and find a consensus solution that will pave the way
for a smooth transition of power whenever the need arises.” Rio pointed out that this was the only way forward to “ensure stability of the government, unity of the party and implementation of effective governance.” “The need of the hour is for us to come together, bury our differences and unify the party in the greater interest of the people and the masses,” Rio stated. The Chief Minister added that “unity” within the NPF “will further strengthen our common endeavour to take the peace process forward and bring permanent peace and political solution to our people.”
challenges & opportunities of Border issue: nagaland govt urged to act micro hydro in the north east Morung Express news Dimapur | May 9
Recognizing that development in North East India sits at crossroads, as the national government and private investors target the large hydro potential of the region, efforts are being made to find solutions that would not only provide modern services but also strengthen the social, economic, and eco systems of the region. One of the solutions is community based micro hydro. In line with this, officials of renewable energy departments of the North East states, experts from the United States, Sri Lanka and Nepal, and representatives of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) came together on May 8 and 9 here to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities regarding community micro hydro in North East India. The two-day workshop was hosted by Nagaland Empowerment of People through Energy Development (NEPeD) with support from International Rivers, a non-profit organization, at the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency. “We hope that there will be increased awareness among decision makers and local stakeholders of bad and good micro hydro practices; and how micro hydro can trigger an alternative development model. We have explored probable next steps for al-
leviating sustainability issues with existing micro hydro projects and scaling successful pilot projects,” informed Dipti Vaghela, solutions coordinator, International Rivers. On May 9, the participants were broken up into three groups each focusing on the following elements of sustainability and scalability: Policy, finance advocacy; Technology & capacity building; Community, environment, and productive use. Each group presented the issues and solutions they discussed. Some of them included migration of skilled people from communities, funding mechanism, need for capacity building of NGOs and village functionaries etc. “We believe that small is beautiful, and that micro hydro projects could be a way to sustainably supply energy to remote villages, at the same time preserving the rich natural resource endowment of the North East,” asserted Menukhol John, team leader of NEPeD. Since 2011, NEPeD has been independently fabricating a 3-kilowatt hydro turbine that is benefiting many roadside food stalls, farmers and village households in remote locations. It has implemented more than twenty projects in Nagaland, and a few in Meghalaya, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Director of MNRE, BK Bhatt, expressed that the workshop experience will help community participa-
tion and development of micro hydro program of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). He also assured that the Ministry will consider whatever suggestions the workshop comes up with, and directly finance community based projects. “India has vast renewable energy potential, as well as sites where we can deploy low-impact, non-dam small hydropower turbines. We cannot afford to do more of the same when better options such as those manufactured by NEPeD are available to us,” added Bharat Lal Seth, South Asia Program Coordinator of International Rivers, based in New Delhi. According to the concept note, the workshop wanted to help ensure that micro hydro in NE India includes a holistic approach that is built upon the region’s strong culture of community and strengthening watersheds/ ecosystems. This approach must connect micro hydro implementation with a strategy for reducing poverty and drudgery, and increasing local economic development. The workshop called for a sustainable and scaled approach that transforms pilot projects into a robust, long-term program built upon local capacity building, quality assurance, productive use, and innovation. It also stressed on an advocating approach that reaches out to communities and other stakeholders.
A section of the crowd during the FIRMS rally in Dimapur on May 9 demanding the nagaland government act on the border issue with Assam.
Morung Express news Dimapur | May 9
While the Nagaland government chooses to play the role of spectator, the Frontal Integrated Ranges of Meranger & Sensolikum (FIRMS) together with the Nagaland Tribes Council, Central Nagaland Tribes Council and the Naga Council Dimapur has firmed up its stance on the prevailing border dispute between Nagaland and Assam. Three months on, since the unrest along the Dimapur-Karbi-Anglong border began, the Nagaland government is yet to take an official stand. The FIRMS took to the streets on May 9 urging the Nagaland government to act. FIRMS members pub-
licly rallied in Dimapur on Friday and submitted two separate representations to the Commissioner, Nagaland and the chairman of the Nagaland Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The representation to the Commissioner contained three points on which the FIRMS urged the Nagaland government to act: Taking up the border dispute at the highest level, removal of two Assam Police camps “set up within the Nagaland boundary,” arresting the culprits responsible for the death of Supongtemjen Imchen and compensation to the bereaved family. It gave the Government 30 days to act on the latter two points. It further stated that the
Lengri River demarcating the boundary between Karbi-Anglong autonomous district of Assam and Dimapur district of Nagaland is undisputed, while contending that Dikoi village is recognised by the Nagaland government but is being disputed by the Assam Forest department. Besides promulgating section 144 CrPC, the Nagaland government has not viewed the matter seriously, it added. In the representation to the NHRC, the FIRMS demanded setting up of a committee to probe the death of Supongtemjen Imchen, who was allegedly killed by the Assam Police on April 30. According to the representation, the death occurred “at Meranger village jurisdiction of Nagaland.” It further urged that the Assam Police personnel complicit to the fatality be suitably punished. An FIR lodged at West Police Station, Dimapur has borne no tangible result thus far, it added. Revoking the 1972 agreement between Assam and Nagaland and stationing of mutual forces under joint control of the two states were points raised by speakers who addressed the rally.
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