10th September 2013

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www.morungexpress.com

The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 248

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www.morungexpress.com

God gives talent. Work transforms talent into genius

Muzaffarnagar: Blame game begins over riots [ PAGE 08]

Astronaut Blown Away

By Sandra Bullock’s Gravity [ PAGE 11]

By Sandemo Ngullie

UN chief urges Syria

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4 –Anna Pavlova

Workshop on streamlining of Serena accounting codification held wins fifth title, [ PAGE 02] 17th Russia stands by Slam Syria as strikes loom [ PAGE 12]

[ PAGE 09]

UP on the edge

reflections

He’s a very powerful old man he can stop trains-bulldozers-Excavators-Tractors-Landowner toh na.

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m U Z a F Fa r n ag a r / LUCKnoW, September 9 (ptI): Uttar Pradesh was on Monday on the edge struggling to contain communal flare-up as the death toll in Muzaffarnagar rose to 31 and violence spread to neighbouring Shamli and other districts even as curfew remained in force and Army staged flag marches for the second consecutive day.

Under all-round attack, the Akhilesh Yadav government late in the evening announced setting up of an inquiry commission headed by (retired) Justice Vishnu Sahai to probe the Muzaffarnagar violence, state home secretary Kamal Saxena told reporters in Lucknow. “The death toll in the violence in Muzaffarnagar and other areas has climbed to 31,” principal secretary home R M Srivastava said.

Violence spread to neighbouring district of Shamli where a 40-year-old Imam of a mosque, Maulana Umar Din, was shot dead, Shamli district magistrate P K Singh said.

Concerned over the inciChildren fill up potholes during a mass social work organized by the Thenyizumi Village Council recently along the state highway. With government assurances to repair Nagaland’s roads proving to be empty rhetoric, communities dents, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to chief have started taking it upon themselves to address the pathetic road conditions. (Morung Photo/Chizokho Vero)

UnIteD natIonS, September 9 (ap): U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging Syria to immediately agree to transfer chemical weapons and chemical precursors to a safe place within the country for international destruction. Ban said Monday he will also propose to the Security Council that it unite and demand an immediate chemical weapons transfer should U.N. inspectors conclude that such weapons were used in an attack August 21 in a suburb of Damascus. He said he is also considering asking the council to demand accountability for an alleged chemi- DImapUr, Septemcal weapons attack. ber 9 (mexn): The 29 Assam Rifles in an operation nabbed three arms dealers with two .22 Pistols and ammunition in Dimapur. A press release by Lt Col AS Chauhan, PRO for Assam RiYangon, Septem- fles said that the arms dealber 9 (IanS): The adult ers were supposed to supliteracy rate in Myanmar ply the weapons to NDFB(S) has gone up hitting 95.13 cadres in Assam. The apprepercent in 2013, the coun- hended persons along with try’s official media said the recovered items were quoting its education min- handed over to West Police ister Mya Aye on Monday.

The minister attributed Station, Dimapur.

In a separate operathe rise in the adult literacy rate to the opening tion in Peren, the 18 AR apof more than 43,100 basic prehended GPRN/NSCN education schools across cadres in Beisumpui area. the country in the 2013-14 The cadres were identiacademic year, according to fied as Sgt Haongam Kuki Xinhua. and Pougaogin Kuki. One

PM assures UP Chief Minister of help from the centre

minister Akhilesh Yadav and assured him of all help from the Centre to deal with the situation. Union home ministry asked Uttar Pradesh government to send Muzaffarnagar situation report every 12 hours. It also asked the state government to deploy enough forces in rural areas in the district where violence is yet to be contained.

Seventeen FIRs have been lodged in connection with the incidents. One of the FIR is relating to the Mahapanchayat held in Sukheda village in which provocative speeches were allegedly made, leading to the violence.

The Centre had alerted 11 states following intelligence inputs about possible communal incidents, Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde said.

“I don’t think he (Akhilesh Yadav) ignored these warnings,” he said on being asked wheth-

er the chief minister was to blamed for the violence. Union minister Ajit Singh and three BJP MPs including Ravi Shankar Prasad were stopped from visiting the troubled district and detained by the Ghaziabad police when they attempted to enter the state.

UP governor BL Joshi has sent a report on the Muzaffarnagar violence to the Centre, which, sources said in Lucknow, has details regarding the administrative lapses as well as the situation prevailing there. Union minister of state for home RPN Singh said 5,000 paramilitary force personnel have already been sent to violence-hit areas of Uttar Pradesh, in addition to Army personnel. “If necessary, we are ready to provide more forces,” he said in Delhi.

The National Human Rights Commission said it will look into cases of communal riots in Muzaffarnagar once the situation returns to normal. NHRC chairperson K G Balakrishnan said the commission would take cognisance of alleged rights violation, if any, reported from the affected areas.

Details on page 8

ar apprehends arm ‘Mobilize people at the local level’ dealers and cadres

Myanmar’s adult literacy rate rises to 95.13 percent

Morung Express News Kohima | September 9

7.65mm automatic pistol and ammunition was recovered. The cadres along with the recovered items were handed over to Athibung Police Station, Peren.

In another incident, three GPRN/NSCN cadres were arrested for gun-possession by the 29 Assam Rifles on September 8 in Dimapur. According to police, two 7.62mm and 7.65 calibre pistols were seized from them. They were identified as ‘tatar’ Hukhevi Sumi (45 years), ‘corporal’ Toki Sumi (20 years) and ‘lance corporal’ Hapwang Konyak (28 years). Police informed that all three were residents of ‘Council Headquarters’ of the

GPRN/NSCN at Khehoi.

They were booked under the Arms Act.

Two held for illegal collection In a different case on September 9, two persons were arrested at Purana Bazaar for illegal collection.

Identified as Chuba Sangtam (34 years) and Tony Achumi (21 years), the duo was arrested while collecting money from goods transport vehicles on behalf of the NNC (Non-Accordist) at the Purana Bazaar parking lot for goods carriers. Rs. 600 in cash and 11 leaflets of NNC (NA) demand receipts were confiscated from them.

three groups sign MoU with Goi

155 cadres bid farewell to arMs

An assortment of arms and ammunition laid down by the KNLF. A total of 155 militants from four armed groups fid farewell to arms at a ceremony in Imphal on September 9. (NNN Photo)

Newmai News Network IMPHAL | September 9

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155 militants from four armed groups laid down a huge quantity of arms and ammunition in Imphal on Monday. Three of the groups signed the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with the government, which makes them a part of the peace process through the Suspension of Operation (SoO).

Eight cadres from Kanglei Yaon Kanna Lup (KYKL), forty four from Kangleipak Communist Party-Nong-

dren Khomba (KCP-Nongdren Khomba), fifty from Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) and fifty three from Kuki Revolutionary Front (KRF) laid down 95 weapons before the Manipur Chief Minister during a home coming ceremony at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles. High ranking members represented each of the outfits. The state and central government was represented by Principal Secretary (Home), Dr Suresh Babu.

KNLF is a part of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), one of the two umbrella bodies of the Kuki militant

organization while KRF is a part of the United Peoples Front (UPF), the other umbrella body of the Kuki underground outfit. Both KNO and UPF are already engaged in SoO with the government of Manipur and the central government. The KNLF, KRF and KCP-Nongdren Khomba signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with the Central and state Governments during the ceremony.

Asserting that the Manipur Government has been putting efforts to bring peace and prosperity in the state, Chief Minister, O Ibobi while speaking at the occasion said appropriate action will be taken up against militants under suspension of operation (SoO), if they are found involved in criminal activities.

He also appealed for the people; particularly NGOs to co operate with the Government in addressing problems faced by the state. He expressed delight that more militants are now coming back to the mainstream.

KNLF General Secretary, Lalmoi; KRF General Secretary, Doungel and KCP-Nongdren Khomba Commander-in-Chief, Nongdren Khomba also spoke at the occasion. They revealed that their decision to join the peace process was taken after seriously considering the sentiments and wishes of the people and because of their desire for peace. They appealed for the Government to take more initiatives towards this end and pledged that they will maintain the Ground Rules mentioned in the MoUs.

The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) held a solemn gathering to observe its 35th Founding Day on September 9 at the NSF and NPMHR Solidarity Park in Kohima.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. P S Lorin, founding member and first Convenor of NPMHR said, “When we celebrate this kind of event, there must be achievements. 35 years is not young, it is matured. It appears that we have come a long way, enough to stand on our own feet. NPMHR has done well at the international level. However,

the local level has been neglected.” Dr. Lorin further emphasized on the need to mobilize people at the local level. “Whether we can reassert our position, is the challenge for our future. It is what we make of it,” he further added.

known to the world,” said Neingulo Krome, former secretary general of NPMHR. NPMHR was founded on September 9, 1978 in Delhi at a time when atrocities committed by the Indian Army were

“One of the major achievements of the NPMHR has been the exposing of atrocities committed by the Indian Army in Nagaland to the rest of the world. For a long time, starting with the 1950s, the Nagas underwent all kinds of atrocities un-

rampant in Naga areas. It was started in Delhi by a group of young Nagas with the support of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and Peoples Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR). It is the first human rights organizations in India to challenge the

constitutional validity of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in the Supreme Court of India. It is also one of the few organization in India and the only in Nagaland to be mentioned in the UN information glossary.

The NPMHR also influenced the formation of the Jharkhandis’ Organisation for Human Rights, and led the way in campaigning for the repeal of the AFSPA. It opened up networks for a number of local (North East) organizations to the international human rights world and also created space for voices of indigenous people through the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact.

Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights observes 35th Founding Day

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Dimapur

LocaL

Tuesday 10 September 2013

NVC clarifies on September 4 incident

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): The Nokpu Village Council has informed that thatched houses along with standing crops in cultivated land within Saring Nokpu ‘B’ village jurisdiction was “destroyed by unknown miscreants” on the night of September 4. A press note from the Chairman and Secretary of the NVC said that villagers came to know through local dailies that “this was the handiwork of the Mariani police; in connivance with few vested interest groups settled in the area bordering our village, who are trying to encroach our land.”

In this connection, the NVC has clarified that the developed and cultivated area “does not fall within the disputed area belt as reported.” Instead it said that the area “is well within our village land.” The NVC asserted

that it is their bounden duty to develop and cultivate “our ancestral land in whichever way it is deemed fit to our advantage.” It cautioned that “anybody hindering our development and trying to destroy our property within our ancestral land shall be dealt with as per customary law of the land.”

The NVC has appealed for the concerned authority to extend all possible help to the villagers in protecting its “rightful claim” and in the pursuit of upholding the right to live through hard labor. It reiterated that “anyone trying to meddle in our daily endeavor for livelihood and survival through development of our village land shall be doing so at their own risk.” It added that the villagers have resolved to “go all out” in order to “protect our right to survival.”

NBCC youth department organises student meet

KohIMA, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): Nagaland Baptist Church Council Youth Department on September 7 and 8 organized a student meet with the theme “where everybody is somebody in Christ” at State Academy hall, Kohima.

Rev. Kilang Jamir, Founder, Director of Youth Harvest Ministry, Dimapur was the speaker for the program. Rev. Dr. L. Anjo Keikung, General Secretary, NBCC also exhorted the gathering of young people. Powerfaith Worship team and Stile Ministry lead the praise and worship.

Rev. Kilang Jamir speaking Special appearances during the student meet at were the Powerfaith band State Academy hall, Kohima.

ZSUK annual conference

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KohIMA, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): The Zeliangrong Students’ Union Kohima will hold its 37th freshers meet cum annual conference on September 14 at The Heritage, Old DC Bungalow, near Raj Bhavan. Temsuwati, additional development commissioner, planning & and coordination and K. Francis Zeliang, PS to minister for planning and coordination, evaluation, geology and mining will be the chief guest and guest of honour respectively. The programme will start at 10:00 AM. All the students of schools and colleges, invitees, officers and well wishers have been requested to attend the same.

and Cedar band. Nepali Baptist Church Kohima, Chang Baptist Church Kohima, Sangtam Baptist Church Kohima, City Church Kohima, Sumi Baptist Church Kohima, Konyak Baptist Church Kohima, Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima and Eirene Choir participated in the program in various ways.

Hundreds of students and young people attended the program. The NBCCYD is grateful and thankful to all who have come forward financially, materially, physically and spiritually to helping in making this program successful.

The Morung Express C

Workshop on streamlining of accounting codification held

KohIMA, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): A one day workshop in ‘Rationalisation & streamlining of heads of accounts in the demands for grants’ for all Government departments was held at the Treasuries & Accounts Directorate Conference Hall, Kohima on September 9. The workshop was jointly organized by the Budget & Monitoring Cell and Treasuries & Accounts, Finance Department, Government of Nagaland and MS Wipro Ltd. Consultants.

Making the opening remarks, Additional Chief Secretary & Finance Commissioner, Toshi Aier, IAS said that there has been a need to review the present age-old classification of government transactions, which is the basic tool for capturing the budgeting and accounting data. He said the workshop is a culmination of the intensive exercise taken up by the department in partnership with the team from MS Wipro, the selected Project

years of establishment, the Nagaland State Seed Farm, Merapani do not have electricity and appealed to the members to cooperate for installation of Solar Power Plan/Electrification at Nagaland State Seed Farm, Merapani. The board after deliberation resolved to approve the same to higher authority for recommendation.

In regard to improvement of HSLC result at GHSS Wokha, the Principal GHSS, Wokha, Emilo Patton while giving a brief report on the poor results of Gov-

grants in the next Financial Year which will include the existing conventional system and another one in the new codified system. He said that when the new system is successfully implemented it will bring about systematic and accurate financial management. He however stressed that the entire exercise and success of the system will depend on collective efforts of all departments.

Senior Consultant, MS

ernment Schools in the district particularly in the district headquarter said that students are not getting good result as expected and lamented that for the past five years the pass percentage is below 20 percent and suggested means for improving the results.

The board also resolved that all the Heads of Offices in the district should contribute Rs.5000/(Five Thousand) for conducting intensive coaching before the finals i.e from 1st November 2013 to 31st Jan 2014. During the meeting DAO (Agri), Wokha pre-

sented power point presentation about the department activities.

The Deputy Commissioner also requested all Heads of Offices in the district to extend cooperation for the success of the forth coming 50 years of Statehood celebration. During the meeting the chairperson, Charity Club Multi Purpose Society informed that, Miss Wokha Beauty Pageant will be held in the month of November 2013 and appealed to all the members to extend co-operation for the success of the programme.

Empowering educated unemployed youth through workshops

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KohIMA, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): The Cayievi Kikramia Khonoma under the sponsorship and patronage of SIRD Nagaland organised a one day workshop on vocational education for the educated unemployed youth under the theme “Creating youth awareness for the upliftment of Semoma Khel” on August 31 at Semo Kuda, Khonoma.

The three sessions were attended by more than 100 youths of the khel. The programme was initiated by the Union to equip themselves with the most commonly

faced problems of unemployment in the society.

The resource persons of the workshop included Dr. Vitsietsolie Vüprü, assistant surgeon District Hospital Wokha, Kevisekho Chücha, entrepreneur, Mezhüu Vakha, headmaster Govt. High School Jotsoma and Kekhrieno Mor. Stating this in a release the Cayievi Kikramia Khonoma president Mhienirielie Vakha and general secretary Medievono Zhünyü thanked the SIRD, resource persons and participants for the success of the programme.

Resource persons with the participants and organisers of the workshop in Khonoma village on August 31.

Sao Chang College students FCS Store inaugurated in Ralan complete excursion tour KohIMA, SEPTEMBER 9 (DIPR): September 4, 2013 marked a significant date for the people of Ralan sub-division as the Food and Civil Supplies Department inaugurated its Store at Ralan sub-division. SDO (C) Ralan, Kethosituo Sekhose, formally opened the store. Though Ralan became a sub-division more than 10 years ago, no FCS store was allocated to the sub-division.

A short programme was conducted where Tsenzamo Kithan of Liphanyan gave thanks to the Almighty and short speeches were delivered by the SDO (C) and VCC of Old Ralan.

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Additional Chief Secretary & Finance Commissioner, Toshi Aier addressing workshop on September 9. (DIPR Photo)

Management Consultant, which is assisting the State in designing and implementation of the Detailed Accounting Codes in Nagaland. The streamlining of the accounting codification is an important exercise as a precursor to the treasuries and budgeting computerization initiative of the state, he said.

The Finance Commissioner said that the state government is proposing to place two demands for

Wokha DBDP discusses electrification of Merapani Seed Farm

WoKhA, SEPTEMBER 9 (DIPR): The Wokha monthly District Planning and Development Board meeting was held on September 9 at DC Conference Hall. Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman, Wokha Vyasan R. chaired the meeting. MLA Dr. TM also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, electrification of Merapani Seed Farm was discussed. The Agronomist, Merapani Seed Farm while highlighting on the need to have proper electrification at the site said that even after 43

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The people of the area expressed their gratefulness to the Government of Nagaland and the MLA of 40 AC Bhandari, Mmhonlumo Kikon for providing them with the FCS Store, which has made it very easy for them to access supply rice meant for BPL families and AAY. Earlier, the people of Ralan area had to go all the way to Bhandari subdivision for getting their quota of rice, making it almost impossible for many, since the cost of transportation was exorbitant and bringing the same through two districts of Assam was very difficult.

The people also conveyed their confidence that with increasing developmental activities in their area by the Government, the area will be benefited in the days to come. The SDO (C) in his short speech encouraged the people to make good use of the facilities being provided by the Government and take care of the facilities since “Government’s property is peoples’ property”. He also warned the village authorities that they should not be tempted to sell Government supply rice, but ensure that the rice reaches the needy and poorest of the poor.

Wipr Ltd. Ranajoy Ghosh pointed out some defects in the present Account codification structure of Nagaland and highlighted the proposed codification structure.

Secretary (Budget & Monitoring Cell), Finance Department, Govt. of Nagaland, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, in his concluding remarks said that the new codification of demand for grant is mandatory as per direction of the Government of India for more transparency,

clarity and accountability.

He said that a lot of misclassification happens in the present system, which can be avoided through the new system. He requested the Accounts Officers of the different departments to learn and know the system and guide their respective department’s Heads of Departments and Administrative Heads of Departments.

The workshop concluded with clarification of doubts by the organizers.

MEx File

LOU DHEP urges GPRN/NSCN to review order DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): The Land Owners Union, Doyang Hydro Project Executive Members and affected Lotha, Sema Landowners have stated that the GPRN/NSCN order in favor of Y Wopan Lotha as the President-ship of the LOU, DHEP “is not accepted.” A press note from R Yanthan, Party Leader and Kakuto Assumi, Head GB, Convener said that the aforementioned order sets aside the report of the Spot Finding Committee, “which was legally constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 2013 to prove the majority drawal of justice as demanded by us to resolve the longstanding crisis of the LOU, DHEP issue.” The note appealed for the collective leadership to intervene and review the order on or before September 30, so as to maintain peace and tranquility for the interest of public and the project in particular. It may be noted that the GPRN/NSCN order dated September 2 said, “as directed by the Ato Kilonser, the undersigned serve this order that Y Wopan Lotha is the new elected President –ship of the LOU, DHEP, Nagaland.” The order was appended by Q Awomi, Secretary to the GPRN/NSCN.

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Naga Hospital Colony condemns shooting incident

KohIMA, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): Various organizations of Naga Hospital Colony Youth Organisation, Panchayat and Women Organisation have strongly condemned the shooting incident in Kohima on September 5 amongst the Naga National Workers at its vicinity by creating panic and damaging the shop properties. Further, the Organizations appealed to all the factions to refrain from such inhuman act in future. NHCYO President Ame Yiese in a note strongly condemned the frequent shooting incident at its vicinity creating panic and insecurities not just to the residents, but also to the patients and its attendants in the hospital.

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New DIDSTA members inducted

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): Dimapur District Sepaktakraw Association (DIDSTA) in its general meeting held on August 25 inducted a new team of office bearers with Aochuba Yaden as president, Neizevotuo Nakhro as vice president, Anok Pongen as general secretary, Inasu Assumi, Manen Imchen and Mayangtoshi as joint secretaries, Hopson Sumi as technical coordinator and Netolu Medeo as women coordinator. This was stated in a release issued by DIDSTA general secretary Lanu Yaden.

NPF get more support

BAghTy, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): Supporters of Achumbemo Kikon, ex Independent candidate from 40 Bhandari Assembly Constituency under Wokha District held their consultative meeting on August 17 last at Soku Village, Baghty. A press release issued by Achumbemo informed that the meeting unanimously decided that the entire supporters of Achumbemo Kikon would merge en masse to the Naga Peoples Front (NPF), while resolving to sincerely work under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and NPF President Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu.

Eurokids International School celebrates ‘Grandparents Day’

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): Eurokids

Students of Sao Chang College, Tuensang seen in front of Taj Mahal at Agra during the ex- International School- Dimapur celebrated ‘Grandcursion tour to Delhi.

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DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 9 (MExN): Students of Sao Chang College, Tuensang concluded their Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) sponsored excursion tour on August 29, which commenced August 17, 2013.

The twelve days tour provided the students the opportunity of acquiring knowledge, education and entertainment by way of interacting with diverse people and their cultures in different places of educational

and historical interests.

The students comprising boys and girls of the Tuensang district led by three teachers guide Dr.Amitava Paul, Dr. Santosh Kumar Shing and Yanglikumla visited almost all the places of interests in Delhi, Agra, Nalanda and Rajgir. The spectacular sight of Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Lal Qila and JantarMantar in Delhi and magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra were the main attractions.

The visit to the relics of an-

cient Nalanda University in Nalanda and a thrilling and romantic experience of aerial ropeway ride connecting between two hills at Rajgir in Bihar were some of the memorable moments for the students, a press release received here stated.

Chubasangla, Principal of the college has expressed profuse thanks and gratitude to DUDA for generously sponsoring the excursion trip, while hoping to receive similar grants in future.

parents Day’ on Friday, September 6, 2013.

Grandpas and Grandmas of all the students were invited to the function held at the Eurokids’ premises at Midland, Dimapur. The programme started with the self-introduction of all the grandparents present there, which was followed by light refreshment. The programme consisted of various interesting games, in which all grandparents participated. There was some touching moments where the elderly guests shared their views, stated a press release issued by Sandeep K Jain, PrincipalEurokids International, Dimapur.

Earlier, the Principal addressed the audience and shared Eurokids’ teaching methodology, which tries to inculcate not only the traditional curriculum and outdoor activities for children but also instills lessons of morals, social values and responsibilities in the children.

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Grandparents with students of Eurokids International School during the ‘Grandparents Day’ .

Regional

The Morung express

Tuesday

10 September 2013

Dimapur

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Gorkha outfit moves SC JDU Manipur to launch agitation against ban on its shutdown KolKata, September 9 (IaNS): The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has moved the Supreme Court challenging a Calcutta High Court order declaring as illegal and unconstitutional its ongoing shutdown in West Bengal's Darjeeling hills, a lawyer said here Monday. Counsel for the Gorkha outfit Abhijit Bose told a high court division bench of Chief Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that the GJM's special leave petition (SLP) was likely to come up before the Supreme Court Sep 16.

The high court, while hearing a public interest

Darjeeling bandh relaxed for two days DarjeelINg, September 9 (ptI): The indefinite shutdown in three hill subdivisions of Darjeeling was lifted for two days beginning on Monday with the Gorkha Joint Action Committee slated to review its future course of action.

GJAC sources the bandh had been relaxed to enable people to procure provisions and to enable boarders to return to schools. The Gorkha Joint Action Committee is slated to review its future course of action on Tuesday. Locals have been facing hardship with food stocks diminishing and petrol pumps in the hills going dry. Banks, post offices, central and state government offices reopened on Monday, officials said.

Nearly 65 trucks trundled into Darjeeling and Kalimpong towns carrying foodstuff and supplies such as rice, lentil, meat and fish from Siliguri market.

Light vehicles plied from Darjeeling to Siliguri in the plains. A 20-member tourist party caught, in the Gorkhaland agitation in Darjeeling, left for Siliguri on Monday morning.

Boarding school students from different areas, who had stayed overnight at Siliguri, made their way back to their hostels in the hills this morning. Schools are slated to reopen on September 13. The bandh, in force from July 29, to revive the demand for a separate Gorkhaland in the wake of the Centre’s decision on Telangana, had earlier been lifted for a day on August 31. It was again clamped prior to the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to the hills on September 2 and 3 where she was felicitated by the Lepcha community.

A one horned rhinoceros swims in flood waters at the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary in Assam on Monday, September 9. Assam is home to the world's largest concentration of the rare rhino. According to the Press Trust of India, 90% of the sanctuary has been inundated by overflowing rivers forcing animals to migrate to higher grounds. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Assamese girl rescued from Punjab barpeta, September 9 (ptI): An Assamese girl has been rescued from a remote village in Gurudwarpur area of Punjab, police said here today.

The girl was rescued by an Assam police team, which had gone to Punjab recently to search a 12-year-old girl from the same district allegedly kidnapped and sold in Punjab for flesh trade, police sources said today.

Based on an FIR lodged by the minor girl's father that his daughter was missing since August 13, a police team from Tarabari police station went to Punjab after four women and a man involved in her kidnap and sale confessed their crime.

The arrested traffickers were identified as Mamtaz Begum, Khenta Begum, Sukurjan Begum, Saniyara Begum and Shafiqul Islam, the sources said.

As they were searching for the missing girl, police found another girl from Assam in the place where the first girl was sold, they said.

This young girl was earlier taken away from Chandrapur Power House area in Guwahati and sold

by Mamtaz in a remote village of Fatekachuriya in Punjab two months ago.

Though the first girl could not be traced, police said they would search for

Assam government mulls over anti-superstition law gUWaHatI, September 9 (ptI): With attacks against people suspected to be practising witchcraft on the rise, the Assam government is planning to bring in an anti-superstition bill in the next session of the state assembly.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi recently announced that the state government was contemplating to enact a law to put an end to the practice of witchcraft.

"There has been a noticeable rise in cases where people are getting killed after being suspected of practicing witchcraft in Kokra-

jhar and Jorhat districts of Assam," he said.

The chief minister went on to say that apart from enacting a new law to eradicate the practice, the government would launch an awareness campaign. In the last decade alone, Assam has witnessed nearly 100 killings as a result of various social evils practiced by people inspired by superstition.

According to police records, 21 cases of witch hunting were registered in 2006, followed by 7 cases in 2007, 10 cases in 2008, 4 cases in 2009, 11 cases in

Meghalaya four-day 'night road blockade' for ILP SHIlloNg, September 9 (ptI): Meghalaya's pro-ILP pressure groups yesterday announced a fourday state-wide 'night road blockade' from September 10 to intensify their stir till the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system was put in place to check influx into the state.

"We have decided to call for a four-day night blockade as a move to intensify our stir to protest against the state government's failure to implement the ILP in the state," Khasi Student Union (KSU) vice president Fredrick Kharmawphlang told PTI here.

The 7 pm to 5 am night road-blockade would be effective in all the 11 districts of Meghalaya, he said.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the 10 pressure groups a day after the statewide office picketing, which has affected

functioning of government machineries, concluded on Saturday last. The agitation by the groups have started since Monday with a 12-hour bandh and three days night-road blockade after their talks with the government failed. He said, "We will announce our next course of action after September 13. We Will fight till our demand is met."

Appreciating the public for their support, he appealed to all the people, including government employees to continue to extend their support and cooperation on the issue. The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement has also called for a one day sit in demonstration on tomorrow to express opposition and to create awareness on the need to implement the ILP system in the state.

2010, 29 cases in 2011 and 14 cases in 2012 across Assam. Social activists in the state have welcomed the proposed initiative, but pointed out that if it was not given more teeth it would meet the same fate as happened in states like Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh where a similar legislation exists.

In those states, the law has failed to act as a deterrent since the provision of punishment enshrined in the law is mild. At most, punishment amounts to three months in jail and a penalty of Rs 1,000.

her in Mumbai where she was reportedly sold.

During the last few years, incidents of women trafficking has increased in Assam with young girls lured away on the pretext of giving them jobs outside the state and then sold in the flesh market, the sources said.

Many young girls from Assam have been rescued from Mumbai, Punjab and Delhi, they added.

litigation, earlier declared as illegal the GJM sponsored shutdown in the Darjeeling hills to press for a separate state of Gorkhaland. It also issued a show cause notice to the Gorkha outfit asking why it should not be made to pay compensation for the economic loss incurred due to the shutdown.

The court asked the state government to estimate the economic loss and damage to public property caused by the agitation. State government counsel Ashok Banerjee told the court that an economic loss of Rs.69 crore was caused due to the shutdown in August.

ImpHal, September 9 (NNN): The Manipur unit of Janata Dal-United (JDU) on Monday said it would launch sustained agitation if the National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) road was not repaired by second week of next month.

Addressing a function welcoming minister T Hangkhonpao, who has joined the party at the state JD-U office here, party president N Tombi explained the party’s concerns about the NH-37, the second most important lifeline of Manipur, and the Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing that has become a political issue in the state.

He further strongly criticized the Centre asking the intent of the Government in ceding massive border land areas of Manipur to Myanmar after erstwhile Prime Minister of India Jawaha-

rlal Nehru in the past had ceded Manipur’s Kabow Valley to the neighboring country in exchange of Andaman and Nicobar Island.

The Centre and state Governments should come out with a white paper on the border issue and bring it to the public domain soon, the JD-U leader demanded.

He also announced that the Non-Congress All Party has decided to visit the border line for a spot assessment at the end of the current month.

He pledged the party will not compromise on the boundary issue and recounted that the NonCongress All Political Party has already sent memorandums to the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Home Minister calling for a halt to the Indo-Myanmar fence construction and bring an unambiguous so-

Arunachal struggles to keep border areas populated ItaNagar, September 9 (DNa): Facing an uphill task to stop the flight of people from border areas to urban centres in search of livelihood,theArunachalPradesh government has urged the Centre to speed up the work of connecting 22 new circle headquarters withroads,porter tracks, log bridges and foot suspension bridges.

The state government maintains that availability of primary health care and education facilities and public distribution system at 22 circle HQs could help in retaining population in border areas, which is also essential to maintain territorial dominance. While the Centre has agreed in principle to Arunachal’s demand, it is yet to release the first instalment of money. Arunachal Pradesh had asked for Rs2,835 crore over a period of three years for connecting 22 circle HQs with allweather roads and Rs498 crore towards construction of porter tracks, log bridges and foot suspension bridges.

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki said large portions of tract close to the border are inhabited and it is only the presence of a few isolated habitations and small villages of Arunachalis which establishes the territo-

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lution in this regard.

Despite the appeal the Centre has not given a positive response on the matter and Myanmar Government has recently set up an army camp at Pillar No 23 inside Holenphai village of Manipur’s Chandel district deploying its 40-50 army personnel there, Tombi said.

He warned that both the Central and state Governments should own up responsibility for any eventuality that could come out of the flawed boundary fencing.

Notably, a six-member team of the state Opposition had visited the Indo-Myanmar boundary to oversee it on September 7 following that it has demanded the state and Central Governments to take steps to immediately stop the fence construction and pillar erection on the international line.

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rial dominance of our nation over these areas at ground level. “We need to implement these projects expeditiously if we want to keep our population in difficult border areas.

They are the eyes and ears of the nation in this sensitive area,” Tuki said.

While there are no latest figures available, the urban migration is on the rise in districts of Debang valley, Upper Siang and Anjaw. All these districts share close to 500km border with China and keep witnessing incursions by the Chinese, government sources said. According to Census figures, between 2001-11, the decadal growth rate in the border districts of Dibang Valley was 9.3%, in Anjaw 13.77%, in Lower Dibang Valley 7% and Upper Siang 5.77%.

The migration is worse in rural areas of Dibang Valley and Upper Siang that share a large border with China.

In Dibang valley, rural areas recorded a decadal growth in the negative -20.82 while Upper Siang witnessed -20.82. “The need to retain native people has become a necessity now, especially in view of the recent Chinese overtures in Changlang in Anjaw or else it might be too late,” a senior government official said.

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GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF YOUTH RESOURCES & SPORTS NAGALAND : KOHIMA

NO.DYRS/SPORTS —A/2013-14

Dated Kohima the 9th September 2013

ADVERTISEMENT Acknowledging the outstanding achievements of empowered Naga Youth as eminent stakeholders in our society, the Government of Nagaland has instituted the Young Naga Achiever's Award in the field of Music, Arts, Sports, Entrepreneurship, Humanities, Sciences and any professional vocation not expressly covered above, to be awarded annually on 1st December.

Recommendations (summarizing the outstanding achievements of the nominee, along with proof of age ) from various stakeholder Departments; Autonomus Institution of the Government; Organisation(s) and Individual(s) may kindly be submitted to the Director, Youth Resources & Sports, Kohima : Nagaland, for the empanelment of potential nominees for scrutiny by the State Level Committee for final selection/ decision.

All recommendations will be received upto 30th September 2013 only.

The enabling concept of 'Young' shall embrace/ include individuals with an upper age limit of 35 years, to be considered eligible for the Award.

The Award includes a Certificate, Trophy and Cash incentive of Rs 10.00 lakh each.

(KELEI ZELIANG) DIRECTOR

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF HORTICULTURE NAGALAND:: KOHIMA NOTIFICATION NO.HR/GEN-1/INTRV/2010-2011:: Based on the recommendation of the Department Recruitment Board for the posts of Horticulture Extension Assistant (HEA) held on 30th July 2013, the following candidates are hereby appointed on the basis of merit and reservation policy of the Government of Nagaland, with immediate effect in the scale pay of Rs. 5200-20,200/- Grade pay as 2000/- p.m plus all other allowances as admissible in Nagaland from time to time w.e.f the date of joining their duty.

1. Shri. T. Chunithung Tsanglao 2. Shri. Takusunep 3. Smti. Kewecheu Khalo 4. Shri. Vikepelie Chadi The following candidates are being kept on waiting list.

1. Smti. Shikmeth Konyak 2. Shri. Lhuveto Keyho The selected candidates for the post of HEA's should submit their acceptance letter to the undersigned within 25th Sept. 2013 failing which the post will be subsequently offered to the waiting list candidates.

WATIENLA JAMIR Director of Horticulture Nagaland, Kohima

C M Y K

4

Dimapur

public discoursE

Tuesday 10 September 2013

businEss

‘BMW faces import duty probe in India, may be fined $100 mn’

FrankFurt, September 9 (reuterS): German carmaker BMW faces a fine of at least $100 million in India for alleged violations of import rules, WirtschaftsWoche reported. India’s customs office claims that BMW has for years declared imported car parts as part of larger assemblies rather than as separates, paying lower import duties than it should have as a result, the German weekly magazine said.

Customs authorities have imposed a fine of at least $100 million, which could grow further in a second stage, WirtschaftsWoche said, without specifying where it obtained the information. It said BMW has appealed the decision.

A spokes-

man for the BMW said an investigation was ongoing and the company was cooperating with the authorities. He declined to comment on the status of the probe. Indian customs authorities were not immediately available for comment.

The Morung Express

Rectify and stand for the common goal that is sovereignty for Naga Nation

J

esus Christ is the same yesterday, today for ever. Hebrew 13:8. In a similar fashion it is nation “Nagaland for Christ’ is the same forever. The heritage granted to our forefather by God has been dedicated to God. And only the God chosen leaders lead Nagaland. This was from olden times till the present generation; hence no leaders should ignore each other. The present leaders are here because there was a beginning where we had our leaders. The beginners should also not think that they are the only leaders. But today’s leaders are also leaders. The early leaders should also confess their mistakes (if any) and rectify and stand for the common goal that is sovereignty for Nation. We have been believing and should still believe the verse from the Bible “Not by might but by my spirit”.

Zachariah 4:6..

From Naga club to NNC period there were some leaders A.Z.Phizo become the 4th president of NNC. But during his time many important events took place and hence he becomes a popular figure.

It is evident from the resolution of the NNC passed at Wokha on June 19th 1946.

Just to cite the first resolution.

1) The Naga National Council stand for the solidarity of all the Naga tribes including those of the un-administered areas.

This was fulfilled by him. That means, during his tenure in 1951 when 99.9% voted for sovereignty, the Indians started

hunting for A.Z. PHIZO. Hence, he come and took salvage in free area (British excluded) and started mobilization. He even changed his name as Mongko Chang and took his address as Chingme village. And hence he brought unity and integrity among various Naga tribes if he didn’t come we were British excluded, (now so called ENPO jurisdiction). But after his arrival mighty India entered our soil in search of him. Hence we joined hands with our Naga brethrens and started fighting against the imperial rule.

Then as per the advanced Nagas made the resolution in Kikruma Village couldn’t be fulfilled in other places the first bloodshed in retaliation was made on 24th March 1955 at Huker village (in free Naga area, ENPO jurisdiction). This resulted in the provocation of the British and the Chief Commissioner of Assam who wrote to the Govt. There after the letter was sent to the secretary of state stating that “The Naga hills” “We shall have no real peace until we have absorbed the Chindwin .This can be done gradually and economically. As it is the huge area of uncontrolled hill country between Assam and Burma, is anomaly”. This was in 1874, When A.Z.Phizo was returning from Thamenti area (Naga Burma) after holding a meeting with the point that there shall be no separation of Naga Burma or India Naga; he was thinking what should be our National Flag, he

The Greatest Enemy Of India Is Superstitious Belief

A

ccording to Chamber dictionary, superstition is a false worship of religion; an ignorant and irrational belief in supernatural agency, a deep rooted but unfounded general belief.

I was born and brought up from a family whose religion was animism.

The people in the forefathers’ religion did not speak about the Creator of the heavens and the earth. They believed that there were gods which can either protect them or destroy them. So they offered sacrifices in various forms to stones, trees, ponds and rocks which were believed to be haunted by gods to make peace with them or to invoke protection from them. Fear gripped the people all the time. I too was a victim till I became a believer of Christ.

Why do I say superstitious belief is the greatest enemy of India?

According to record, 80 percent of the population of India is Hindus and the Hindus have caste system among themselves which is deeply rooted in superstitious belief. The Creator of the heavens and the earth is holy, righteous, just, perfect, loving kind and is no respecter of persons. He created human beings after His own image. Human beings have diversity of races, colours, languages and statures but there is no classification of body, soul and spirit.

Among the living creatures on the earth, humankind is a family and all

human beings are of human family and the Creator is the Father of the family. Before God the flesh and blood of all human beings is equally precious. No flesh and blood is higher or lower. Conceiving the idea of higher caste and lower caste is far from knowing the true God because knowing God makes man and woman humble and gentle. “I am a sinner, I am unworthy” is the characteristics of the one who really knows the true God. Nearer to God, more humble one becomes. “I belong to higher caste and you belong to lower caste; I am holier than thou” is not the voice of humanity but of Lucifer.

There is no superlative degree of human class. If certain human beings are untouchable lest to be defiled by the touch, such persons are lower than animals such as snakes, monkeys, rates etc. which are worshipped as sacred animals. Any human being is higher than all living creatures in the world. If we accept one another as human being, we accept the Lord. If we deny any human being, we deny his or her Lord. In denying the Dalits, the Creator is being denied.

According to Nagaland Post August 29. 2013 “A dalit was killed. His house was destroyed and his family including a 10 year old was ,thrown out. The upper caste members did not like his audacity to hoist the national flag on the independence day

at a disputed property which they appropriated forcibly.

The discrimination is the bane of India where the caste prejudiced Hindus constitute 80 percent of the population. The story of the dalit came to light because one TV channel highlighted it. Otherwise thousands of dalits undergo similar rigours every day. They face the arrogance and zulum of upper caste.

And there is not light at the end of the tunnel.”

There may be many men and women among the so called caste persons who realize the evil of casteism but they will be afraid of being outcast by their own caste if they speak out against caste discrimination. The M.Ps and M.L.As are aware that speaking out against racial segregation in the country will be at the expense of their popularity. So they are bound to be in soft corner. All of the Hindu leaders belong to this or that caste, so how can they speak out against casteism or caste discrimination?

Having faith in an imaginary power other than God almighty is called superstitious belief which gave birth to the caste system and caste system classified the people into different sects of caste which is a shackle to them. So despite the constitution beautifully provides freedom of life for all of the citizens, the people are slaves to casteism

and the country cannot avoid war footing condition at grass root level.

The actual fact is that the root cause of the imbroglio of casteism is out of a belief of deviation from God and giving loyalty to too many gods. The solution is giving loyalty to the Creator alone. He alone can deliver the people from sinking into the mire of confusion.

Honour killing for intercaste marriage known to all speaks of the fanaticism in their superstitious belief. It is a known fact that casteism is totally out of the true way of humanity and is an act of Godlessness. The universe is not created by thousand of gods but by the Almighty God alone. So instead of throwing selves into confusion by believing in thousand of gods, realistically examine what the superstitious belief is, realize the wrong and turn to the Creator of the heavens and the earth and get delivered from the centuries’ old bondage of superstitious belief so that real free life may prevail in the country! All sober and wise men and women in India should spontaneously rise up and launch a war footing revolution to root out the superstitious belief which has been destroying the fabric of unity and essence of human societies in the country so that darkness may be dispelled and light may usher in.

The hated dowry system in In-

dia is also a by-product of Godlessness. In international level there is democracy and peace but at the grass root level, there is war because it is learnt that a woman dies dowry related death every hour in India. Indian Christians also accept dowry because those who accept dowry do not really know the love of God. It is said that big Bridge cannot be stable unless human sacrifice is offered. Offering human sacrifice is proved to be true because when a Bridge was under construction, two sons in the area disappeared and never found out. It is out superstitious belief. Practices of selftorture of self-immolation in search of peace is also out of superstitious belief.

I know what superstitious belief is because I have experienced it.

Through Christ I was delivered and I came to know who the Creator really is and I have experienced His peace, His joy, His love, His power by His Spirit which the natural world does not know. By the Holy Spirit, the pain and sorrow of all fellow human beings are my pain and sorrow and the joy of all is my joy. So out of spontaneity and own volition I give my best for peace and justice as far as God enables me without any reserved motive.

Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi

saw a rainbow. Hence he decided to take the symbol of rainbow. But here, I want to make it clear that this does not belong to any particular party but it is a National Flag of Nagaland. This will be called the Naga sovereignty Flag As mentioned in the Holy bible Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth and do not sell it”.

If the leaders of NNC/FGN didn’t sign the Shillong accord in 1975 perhaps NSCN wouldn’t have been born and Nagas might have obtained at least something. And the National party would have been NNC as our National political institution. But after waiting for five years, no sort of Compromise arrived. And hence NSCN was born from the Naga base area where his excellency president S.S.Khaplang is still settled. Can it be considered as a small thing when we see that; not only Nagas but even the other states of North East partners stand along with him in fighting for justice for common goal? Naga Christians please recall, while the Israelites made an Exodus from Egypt, was it Moses who reached the land of Canaan? Or Joshua and Aron? For the Christians and Naga Citizens, Refer the holy bible St. John 8:32. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”.

Maj (Retd), Kewongkhum Yimchunger Education Kilonser NSCN (Khaplang)

Rejoinder to the statement issued by ACAUT, NBOADD & NVCO

T

he lessees who were allotted the contract work for collection of tolls and fees for the period starting from 01-07-13 to 31-0314, would like to clarify that, the allotment of Works were made as per the provisions of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 under Section 120(1)(c) and Section 175(1)(2)(3). The State Government had vide its Notification No.UDD/ MAC-13/2009 Dated 26th October 2012 accorded sanction for the imposition of taxes, tolls and fees in exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-Section (8) of Section 121.

The Department of Urban Development has issued the cancellation orders so that the person selected by the Department are given the work orders. In this connection the Department of Urban Development by letter dated 12/07/13 has sent a list of 37 persons to the DMC. The DMC has further been directed by the urban development to enter into agreement with the aforesaid 37 persons for collection of tools and fees. This clarification is made because of the general misconception that, the Department of Urban Development has banned collections of tolls and fees. The Department of Urban Development is only trying to replace the lessees to whom contract work has been allotted by the DMC with its own selected persons.

Rhon Ovung on behalf of the lessees

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

_

LEISURE

Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box co ntains the digits 1 through 9.”

SUDOKU Game Number # 2643

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2655

Answer Number # 2642

DiMaPuR Civil Hospital:

STD CODE: 03862

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital: Shamrock Hospital Zion Hospital: Police Control Room Police Traffic Control East Police Station West Police Station CIHSR (Referral Hospital) Dimapur hospital Apollo Hospital Info Centre: Railway: Indian Airlines Northeast Shuttles Chumukedima Fire Brigade Nikos Hospital and Research Centre Nagaland Multispecialty Health & Research Centre

KOhiMa

Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home:

232224; Emergency229529, 229474 227930, 231081 233044, 228846 228254 231864, 230889 228400 232106 227607, 228400 232181 242555/ 242533 224041, 285117, 248011 230695/9402435652 131/228404 229366 22232 282777 232032, 231031 248302, 09856006026

STD CODE: 0370

Northeast Shuttles

100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202

O

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IN The ColoNIes 1620 - 1700

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i V h g h a L E O T u C i T C E n n O C T

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B R L R J a M E S T O w n i B O S T O n S

E E g a V i T n a R g D n a L a i D R M n h

R i D T a C S h i P B u i L D i n g i S a

E n E L L T E P B a L T i M O R E a i D R

L i L T n E F O M a S S a C h E T T S E V

A i a P L y M O u T h P L a n T a T i O n a

g u h g h C E L O n D O n C O M P a n y R

i V i R T a E a n i L O R a C h T u O S D

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u P L y M O u T h C O M P a n y C y Q n O

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O P i L g R i M S E D n a L S i E D O h R

ACROSS

M T O i n a V a L S u P P L i E S h h S n

1. grind together 6. Ranch 10. Murres 14. Creepy 15. Dogfish 16. gestures of assent 17. Sporting venue 18. where a bird lives 19. Volume 20. Fast terrestrial bird 22. how old we are 23. attempt 24. Lubricated 26. Obtained 30. Craze 32. Extraterrestrial 33. Foolishness 37. Express in words 38. Cash 39. a ball of yarn 40. Permissiveness 42. Electrical pioneer 43. Line of a poem 44. To a great degree 45. Deception 47. Liveliness 48. untruths 49. Pullover 56. Decorative case

57. Filly’s mother 58. Forbidden 59. as well 60. aquatic plant 61. Leave out 62. avid 63. a noble gas 64. Thorny flowers

DOWN 1. Equipment 2. Roman emperor 3. Region 4. a region of SE Pakistan 5. Cheer 6. Backside 7. Ends a prayer 8. ascend 9. Dignified 10. Deranged 11. French for “Red” 12. Stagnated 13. Requests 21. a large vase 25. 3 in Roman numerals 26. general agreement on tariffs and trade 27. Margarine 28. Cultivate 29. Video entertainment 30. Chop finely

31. away from the wind 33. Male offspring 34. if not 35. Peddle 36. go to and fro 38. Sharpshooter 41. Record (abbrev.)

42. Racetrack tout 44. Damp 45. name of a book 46. utilize again 47. Song of praise 48. an escape of water 50. welt 51. Therefore 52. angel’s headwear 53. nile bird 54. was a passenger 55. Foot digits

Ans to CrossWord 2654

DIMAPUR: 03862-232201/101 (O) 9436601225 (OC) CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862-282777/101 (O) 9436012949 (OC) WOKHA: 03860-242215 (O) 9402643782 MOKOKCHUNG: 0369-2226225/101 (O) 9856872011 (OC) PHEK: 03865-223838/101 (O) 9402003086 (OC)

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2226241 2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home: Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226216 2226263 2226373/2229343

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222246 222491

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LOCAL

The Morung Express

Tuesday 10 September 2013

SSA teachers appeal for Poumai students encouraged release of pending salaries to remain hard working Teachers face 'untold hardships' due to non-payment of salary for three months

Kohima, September 9 (mexN): SSA Teachers Union Kohima has written to the Commissioner & Secretary, Department of School Education pleading the release of the salaries of primary and graduate teachers appointed under SSA. In the letter, the teachers union underlined that because of the non-release of their salaries for three months, they were facing “untold hardships” to make both ends meet as most of them are the sole employers and bread earners in the families.

The letter informed

that one hundred thirty five Primary Teachers and one hundred fifty three Graduate Teachers under DIS Kohima were recruited through SSA Scheme , while assuring the aforementioned teachers have been dedicatedly discharging their duties till date, though their salaries were not being released to them.

Further, stating it had learnt from “reliable sources” that the DIS concerned had forwarded necessary letter for the release of their salary to the Directorate, it expressed dismay and ago-

ny that the salaries have not been released yet. It questioned as to who has been withholding their salaries “leaving us to miseries.”

Therefore, in view of the above facts and circumstances, the teachers union has appealed to the Commissioner & Secretary, Department of School Education to take “our genuine predicament seriously and expedite the process of releasing our salaries at an early possible date and make sure that the present trend of hardship to teachers may not be repeated in future.”

Dimapur, September 9 (mexN): Village Education Committee (VEC) chairman-cum-Village Council chairman of Sechü Zubza, Neikuo Sechü, while appreciating the department concerned for its efforts towards successful implementation of the SSA scheme in Nagaland, has pointed out some irregularities in implementation of the scheme in rural areas under Sechü Zubza jurisdiction.

In a release today, the Sechü Zubza VEC chairman has alleged irregularities while sanctioning the required amount for construction of schools un-

der SSA scheme in Sechü Zubza. He stated that the project which should have been completed in six months time has not been completed till date. The construction of two new primary schools in Sechü Zubza under SSA started last year, but was left half constructed.

“The department has even appointed the teachers for these two primary schools, but the school buildings are yet to be completed,” Sechü said adding that the amount which is to be given to the village on installment basis had never been given on time.

The VEC chairman has,

therefore, appealed the department concerned to look into the matter immediately for the well being of the students.

He hoped that the department will understand the problems faced at the grassroots level better and take necessary steps accordingly.

The scheme under SSA seeks to open new schools in those habitations which do not have schooling facilities and to strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grants.

Vec chairman of Sechü Zubza points out discrepancies in SSA scheme

Dimapur

5

MEx FILE

Seized IMFL to be destroyed today Dimapur, September 9 (mexN): As per the extract copy order passed by Tucuno Vamuzo, first class Judicial Magistrate, Dimapur Court in C/W Dimapur East PS C/No 170/13 U/S GR.416/13 Dtd. 23/8/2013, 805 cases of seized IMFL of different brands will be destroyed on September 10, 7:00 am at DMC dumping place, near Khatkhati Check Gate, Dimapur. The following individuals have been requested by the Superintendent of Police Dimapur to come and witness the destruction: Akum - Ld. P.P, Ling - PI Dimapur, Among - OC East Police Station, SI Zhabour Kire - I/O of the case.

Interview for Medical Physicist course

Khriehu Liezietsu being escorted to grace the PNTMK freshers’ meet.

Kohima September 9 (mexN): Adviser new & renewable energy and music task force MLA Khriehu Liezietsu challenged the students’ community to grab the opportunity at the right time.

Addressing the Poumai Naga Tsudoumai Me Kohima’s (PNTMK) 30th freshers’ meet cum annual get together as the chief guest at Poumai Baptist Church Midland here on Saturday, Liezietsu termed Poumai people as hard working people and at the same time advised them to keep the good culture and pass it to the posterity too.

Razeba Public organization Kohima president

Danyi Domeh addressing the gathering as the guest of honour urged the students to leave behind the idea of backwardness and inferiority mindset. He also encouraged the students to work hard with God in their lives to be successful.

He advised the gathering to give importance to the mother tongue and pass it down to the coming generations.

Earlier, the programme was compeered by Vizo James and Grace Shangne, welcome song was presented by Baptist youth, invocation was proposed by Rev. Thaongaolou pastor PBCK, presidential address was delivered by L. Peacemark, P. Vini Rova spoke

on behalf of freshers. The union’s report was shared

by Ng. Thohrii education & statistics secretary, folk song was displayed by Vapfiimai, choreography presented by TCG hostellers, special presentation by Rivi Domeh, vote of thanks was pronounced by Reihii Chao GS and benediction prayer

by Buni Dominic Catechist PCCK. Meanwhile, the first position for song competition was bagged by BYF and second prize by Revival youth.

1st prize in debate competition was bagged by Katsiinai and 2nd prize by H. Mark. In extempore speech, 1st prize was bagged by K. Ashune and second prize

by Veidune.

Kohima, September 9 (mexN): With regard to the advertisement in the local dailies for undergoing course of Medical Physicist under their own arrangement, to fill up vacancies in Cobalt Therapy Centre at District Hospital Mokokchung and NHAK under Department of Health Family Welfare, it has been informed that the interview for the same will be held on September 13, 2013, 2.00 PM at IDSP Conference Hall, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare.

DWO Mon informs

moN, September 9 (mexN): District Welfare Officer Mon has informed all the beneficiaries availing IGNOAPS, IGNWPS, IGNDPS, and handicapped and blind persons to collect the pensions from DWO office, Mon as informed before. Along with House number and National Population Register number, the beneficiaries will have to be verified by the Village Council chairmen/ pastors, said a press release issued by District Welfare Officer (DWO) Mon, C Shiyao Konyak.

ANTA informs taxi drivers

Kohima, September 9 (mexN): All the taxi drivers under All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) are informed that from now on, no driver will be permitted to drive without proper documents i.e, yearly registration card, identity card, driving license, and batch number, “since there have been many cases of rash driving and accidents in the recent months, bringing the safety of the passengers at risk”. ANTA Kohima unit has therefore requested all the taxi drivers to co-operate with them.

It further cautioned that anyone found driving without the said documents, and also driving under the influence of liquor will be strictly dealt with by the ANTA Dimapur, Septem- Dimapur. On the occasion mapur Sathya Sabha high- Action Committee. ber 9 (mexN): 87th birth a programe of Bhupendra lighted the contribution of anniversary of Late Dr Bhu- Sangeet was organised Late Dr Bhupen Hazarika TANSA informs NSA tenants pen Hazarika was celebrat- wherein 14 local singers towards the society. This ed on September 8, 6.00pm participated in the func- was informed in a release Dimapur, September 9 (mexN): The Tenants Association Naga Shopping Arcade has informed of variat Dimapur Sahitya Sabha, tion. The President of Di- received here. ous resolutions passed in the General meeting on August 24 at Hotel Saramati. A press note from the TANSA informed tenants running hotels and restaurants at the arcade to close down their shops by 8:30 pm. It also asked tenants not to allow customers to sit outside the shop/ verandah/terrace to drink alcohol and to prohibit gamdisrespect against women folk, on a physically challenged girl." ishment to the culprit. which can no longer be tolerated, It has appealed all the con- bling of any kind. This, it said was resolved in order to creLCDD stated, “We should not alTSUD: Tenyimi Students’ cerned citizens, especially the stu- ate a healthy environment within the jurisdiction of the low this kind of barbaric acts to Union Dimapur (TSUD) has dents and youth to come together, Naga Shopping Arcade. It further informed all concerned happen in our land anymore.” strongly condemned the rape of irrespective of tribe and religion that the association would conduct surprise checking at The Union also appealed all the a physically challenged girl al- to control the “anti social activi- stalls selling alcohol in order to prevent "immoral and peace loving citizens of Naga- legedly by Phongpa Konyak, a ties” which, it said has completely undesirable" activities in the interest and welfare of the land to take note of the increas- suspended employee of Police paralyzed “our peaceful” society. residents and the general public. TANSA appealed for co ing rape cases and other crimes Department on September 3 at TSUD has prayed to the Almighty operation from all tenants and cautioned that failing to in the society and to join hands Chumukedima. TSUD has urged God to guide and give strength to comply with the rules and regulations would invite a fine of Rs 1000 upon the defaulters and that defaulters would to curb such “menaces” together. the authority concerned to take both the family members. be liable for expulsion after repeated violations.

LCDD further cautioned that if stringent action against the rapist the authority delays in delivering and not to bail him out at any cost, SSUD: Sangtam Students' Excise dept seizes illegal liquor justice, it will resort to its “own while expressing faith in the po- Union Dimapur (SSUD) has excourse of action”, for which “the lice authority that it will deliver pressed shock and dismay over Dimapur, September 9 (mexN): The district authority shall be responsible.” justice to the victim at the earli- the brutal murder of Angao excise duty party at New Field Check Gate arrested est. The Union also expressed se- Konyak inside a commercial one Yapang for smuggling illegal liquor on September ZWSD: The Zeliangrong Wom- rious concern at the rise of abuse building near Golaghat Road, 8. According to a press release issued by the Assistant en Society Dimapur (ZWSD) has on women in the society. It ex- Dimapur. In a press statement, Commissioner of Excise Dimapur Lanuwati Jamir, the strongly condemned the Septem- tended support and solidarity to SSUD has urged the authority to seizure included 216 bottles of assorted IMFL from a ber 3 rape of a physically chal- the victim and the families. make a concerted effort, while vehicle bearing regd. No WB-02N-6037. Further, the lenged girl in Chumukedima by TSUD has also strongly con- expressing belief that justice will district excise duty personnel seized 69 bottles of ilone Phongpa Konyak. The society demned the murder of Angao be delivered at the earliest. The legal liquor from various shops located near 13th IR has requested the authority to give Konyak at Eros Colony in Dima- Union further conveyed its deep- Gate, Patkai Bridge and Sema Tilla. All the accused have been booked under relevant sections of NLTP Act, the him the highest degree of punish- pur. It has appealed the law en- est condolences to the bereaved release said. It further informed that the district excise ment as per the provision of law forcing agencies to deliver justice family members, while praying personnel will continue to conduct checking in all the for fair justice, since "the particular to the victim’s families at the ear- for the departed soul to rest in suspected areas and continue to seek the support and case is inhuman and barbaric act liest and award benefitting pun- eternal peace. co-operation from the citizens.

Bhupen Hazarika’s birth anniversary observed

organizations voice out against recent murder and rape

DDCF: Dimapur District Citizens' Forum (DDCF) has strongly condemned the rape of a physically challenged girl on September 3 at Chumukedima, reportedly by one Phongpa Konyak. DDCF asserted that the heinous crime should be condemned by all right thinking citizens of the land and the criminal should be given a befitting punishment as per the law of the land.

DDCF has also condemned the brutal murder of Angao Konyak of Longwa village, Mon district, whose body was recovered at the entrance of a commercial building on September 6 morning. It has urged the authority concerned to expedite the investigation and book the culprit(s) involved in the crime at the earliest and award benefitting punishment.

In a statement appended by its president N Joseph Lemtur, DDCF urged the authority not to grant bail to such criminal(s).

Further, it prayed for the Almighty God to give comfort to the rape victim and also prayed for the departed soul of Angao Konyak to rest in peace.

LCDD: Liangmai Council Dimapur District (LCDD) has expressed deep shock over the September 3 rape in Chumukedima, reportedly committed by one Phongpa Konyak. While extending its heartfelt condolences to the victim and the family, the Union has vehemently condemned the “heinous crime” and “barbaric deed”, which, it said is beyond human comprehension.

It has appealed to the law enforcing agencies to leave no stone unturned in delivering justice to the victim, and to judiciously expedite the case and award exemplary punishment to the culprit, in order to deter others from committing such crimes in the future. Expressing that the heinous crime of Phongpa Konyak shows

Law has two eyes: women safety, a doubt in India India is also one of the nations in the world where women are fast catching up with their counterparts in every sphere. The present Indian Parliament have good numbers of women holding important position viz., Speaker, Chairperson of the ruling party, Ministers, opposition leaders etc. Despite being powerful and privileges they enjoy, their limitations are witnessed when they could not move the house to amend strong laws to deal with crime against women. It is disappointing to see that in 21st century, women in India face discrimination right from the birth and sometimes even before birth. Is being born women unlucky or being conceived as women a sin?

Are women Members of Parliament too casual towards crime against women? Or our parliament functions like a typical Indian family where women are just a part of the house? According to Thomson Reuters Foundation Global Poll (2012) the condition of women in India is worse than in war-torn Somalia because of high instances of female foeticide, infanticide and human trafficking.

How important do women’s safety features in the world’s bulkiest constitution? It is regrettable to say that women are not secure in India. According to National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, the crime against women (both under IPC and SLL) in India continuously increased during 2007 to 2012 with 1,85,312 cases in the year 2007, 1,95,856 cases in the year 2008, 2,03,804 cases in the year 2009, 2,13,585 cases in the year 2010, 2,28,650 cases in the year 2011 and 2,44,270 cases in the year 2012. This increasing trend is an indication that something is wrong with our system.

The national outrage over December 16th 2012 Delhi gang rape gave birth to “The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2013”. The bill further amends the Indian Panel Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Evidence Act, 1872 and the protection of Children for Sexual Offences Act 2012. This law came into force on 3rd February 2013.

The fast-track court setup to pursue Delhi gang rape could

Public SPace

give its first verdict after eight months to the juvenile accused on 31st August 2013 and the four accused are to face verdict on 10th September 2013. Within six months of passing the bill, the nation was once again rocked by the gang rape of young photojournalist in Mumbai on 22nd August 2013. On 26th August 2013, keeping aside all the important business, Lok Sabha witnessed outrage where honourable Members demanded death for the culprits. Seeking justice for victim by disturbing parliament should be awarded the best drama of the year. If members care, it is not a colossal task for them to amend the existing law. Among the Members disturbing the house was leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj who insisted death for the rapist. On the flip side her party was supporting self styled god man Asaram Bapu who was accused of sexually assaulting 16 year old girl on August 15 in his ashram in Jodhpur when other political parties demanded strong action and gallon for accused. The way Asaram Bapu hoodwinked the police for many days showed the double standardness of our law. Whether outside or inside of the parliament every members are expected to condemn crime against women.

According to National Crime Records Bureau Crime India 2012, Nagaland is the safest state for women in India. It is a great honour for the citizens of Nagaland and a boost for its culture and tradition. However, in actuality is a woman really safe in Nagaland? Do they move out alone without having any apprehension on the street? No doubt, the crime against women in Nagaland may not be as frequent and as high as those in other states but we cannot rule out that women are completely safe in their working place, streets, market, home etc. Crime against women does not only mean physical assault. As enshrined in Section 509 of the IPC any words, gesture or act intended insult the modesty of a woman shall be punishable by either a fine or prison sentence of up to one year or both. Eve teasing and sexual comments are common happening in our streets, market etc and the main reason could be our ignorance of existing law and our friendliness/ open minded type and take it easy attitude. The formation of State Level complaints committee to redress sexual harassment

complaint of women employees at their work place in Nagaland is a landmark movement for the safety of women modesty. However, it could be much better if this committee spread its wing to redress sexual harassment faced by women walking in the streets, market and home too. The state needs a mass awareness campaign and seminar on crime against women.

Our constitution guarantees every citizen of the country equality in the eye of law, which means it is same for rich and poor, influential and non-influential person, politician and public etc. One of the favourite sayings of lawmakers in Indian today is “No one is above the law and law will take its own course of action”. But in practical, law in India has two eyes and two functions. People who don’t have political connection get arrested in the blink of an eye but for people who have political connections, no matter how severe the crime, they keep fooling the law till the iron gets cold. Today, numbers of Netas / politicians are allowed to remain in office while facing serious charge. Their cases have neither been prosecuted nor dismissed. This two eye of law restricts many women to lodge complaint for rape, molestation, and sexual harassment/assault.

What happens when law takes its own course of action? Law is blind; it is blindfolded to show that justice is not subjected to influence. The intensity of crime is invisible in the eye of the law. As witnessed in the verdict of December 16th 2012 Delhi gang rape, the juvenile was sent for three years in special home. Can the juvenile come out reformed in three years? Law needs to strike a balance by calibrating the age below which a person is considered juvenile to the nature of crime. For those charged with heinous crimes like murder or rape, the age limits need to be lowered. Giving same treatment on juvenile pickpocket, rapist / murderous, thief, rioter etc is injustice. Sushma Swaraj leader of opposition voiced out her concern on the verdict saying she will introduce the bill in parliament to amend the law for juvenile. She wrote in twitter “this meagre punishment of just three years does not do justice” she added “the sentence must commensurate with the gravity of the offence irrespective of the age of the offender”.

Indians respectfully call our country “Mother India” and “Bharat Mata”. Who is this mother referring to? She is your mother, your wife, your sister, your daughter, your sister-in-law, your working partner. Let’s retrospect their contribution in our life. They deserve the highest respect.

Today, half of our population is facing threats on a daily basis which has fundamentally damaged the image of India in the world. It is illegal for an individual to take law in his hand hence there is a need to bring strong judicial reform in India.

Dr. Soyhunlo Seb Telecom ward Tseminyu

PubLIc notIce I L. Tuccu, Joint Secretary of NSCN (K) will like to bring to people’s notice that my brother Atobo Awomi (a civilian and a citizen of Dimapur) was picked up by Highway Command Atoshe of GPRN/NSCN at T.K Service, when he went to check his vehicle kept for repairing at around 3:30 pm dated 06/09/13.

He was later released after physically being tortured to enquire about me, and then released only after making a payment of Rs. 10,000/-.

What I want to know is on what ground my brother was charged for the crime. Was he charged just because he was my brother and that I am in NSCN (K) working for Naga Nation? If so I want an explanation from the Govt. of GPRN/NSCN. If the GPRN/NSCN, can take up action against any civilian, just because his father, brother or cousins are working for Naga Nation, without any reason, I shall also do so and see if my action towards their love ones will be reasonable or not. If they have any gauges against me they can deal with me personally 'man to man' and not pick up someone who is defenseless.

I demand an explanation as to why my brother was treated like a criminal, failing to respond, his love one will meet the same fate.

The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper.

Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.

L. Tuccu

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IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express TuEsDAy 10 sEPTEmbEr 2013 vol. vIII IssuE 248

Development and Underdevelopment

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

Tyrell Haberkorn

Thailand, the politics of justice

When One Sets A Portion For Oneself, Usually It Is Not Too Small –Ethiopian Wisdom

A

ndre’ Gundar Frank says that underdevelopment is not just the absence of development, but underdevelopment is created by the current economic system which sucks resources from the rural areas to towns, from town to capital cities, from countries of the south to the financial capitals of industrial nations – the headquarters of the transnational corporation. For such systems, their understanding of development is largely based on economics, measuring effective development primarily in terms of increase in the Gross National Product (GNP). Policies and projects with minimal consultation and participation from local people in terms of evolving objectives and processes in partnership have disastrous effects on their lives.

According to Mark Roseland “achieving sustainable community economic development means emphasizing managing sustainable employment and economic demand. It implies shifting our economic development emphasis from the traditional concern with increasing growth to reducing social dependence on economic growth.” To be rooted in the community is necessary in order for the collective to recover. The most basic right is the right to life which does not only mean survival, but guaranteed access to resources that will enable exercising and enjoying the right to life to its fullest potential. In the modern sense food, clothing, housing, education, transport, healthcare, access to water, communication and decision-making comprise the basic needs for a person to enjoy the right to life. Collectivity provides this guarantee whereas privatization and enclosures limits and obstructs it.

Non-democratic economic systems and militarized States centralize control over decision-making and resources forcefully displace people from productive employment and self-reliance in order to create a culture of insecurity and dependency. When a people’s identity no longer comes from the positive experience of being a farmer, a craftsperson, a teacher, a midwife or as a struggling people, culture is reduced to a negative empty shell where one’s identity is in competition with the "other" over valuable resources that define economic and political power.

In a democracy, the economic agenda and the political agenda are inter-related and they often influence each other. But when Corporations, Globalism and militarized States, usurp democratic frameworks and structures, democracy itself is decimated and becomes sidelined as a meaningless slogan. Consequently, people’s rights are violated and they are stripped of control over their resources, democratic institutions simultaneously erode. In this scenario, people’s processes to deciding their own future and owning their means of production are denied.

Indigenous traditions and wisdom need to be safeguarded as they are essential to attaining a collective, sustainable and harmonious future. This resource can help address many problems such as food security, land rights, and production, etc. The indigenous knowledge system provides impetus to challenge and explore alternatives to the current mentality that the presence of unlimited power has solved the problem of production. Rediscovering our roots, identity, indigenous knowledge, respect for the natural environment, recognizing the circle of mutual dependency and the need for a pluralistic system have become the imperative needs in order for humanity to survive.

lEfT wiNg |

Gyanendra Kumar Keshri Source: IANS

Land acquisition law will spike costs, delay projects: Experts

T

he new land law, that will replace 120-year-old archaic regulations, is expected to delay and spike costs of major housing, infrastructure and industrial projects, experts and industry people say. “Cost of land will go up and the time taken for acquiring such land will also get prolonged, as rehabilitation and resettlement policy will be applicable,” said Raheja, chairman and managing director of Raheja Developers.

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012, that seeks to replace the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, was passed by parliament last week. It will come into effect after the president gives his assent and the act is notified. The bill proposes a unified legislation for acquisition of land and adequate rehabilitation mechanisms for all affected persons.

According to research and rating firm Crisil, the new legislation will lead to an increase in the gestation period of major projects and spike overall costs. “Our interactions with industry players suggest that the overall project costs will increase by around 3-5 percent,” Crisil said, adding the increase in overall costs will impact the “viability of such projects”. According to the proposed law, consent of 80 percent of landowners will be required in case of land acquired by private companies and 70 percent for land acquired under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for public purpose.

Compensation will be up to four times of the market value in rural areas and two times in urban areas. Land cannot be vacated until the entire compensation is awarded to the affected parties. “The cost of land acquisition will surely go up for all projects irrespective of them being government or private or PPP, as they will have to adhere to the new norms,” said Sanjay Dutt, executive managing director for South Asia at global property consultancy firm Cushman & Wakefield.

Dutt said the clause of mandatory consent of 80 percent of owners for private projects and consent of 70 percent landowners for PPP projects will delay the process of land acquisition and the projects in turn. “As land titles are not clearly documented in our country, it will take quite some time to change the current situation. The bill is expected to add to the costs of project substantially,” Dutt said. The provisions of the new regulations would be applicable in cases of land acquisition of 50 acres or more in urban areas or 100 acres or more in rural areas.

However, some analysts argue that the new regulations would bring more certainty in the land acquisition process, provided the law was implemented properly. “The law will bring more certainty on a critical issue impeding infrastructure development,” said Manish Agarwal, executive director, infrastructure, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) India. “The government may need to bear the cost of land acquisition since user may not be able to bear the cost in all cases. This balance between cost to tax-payers and users remains critical in design of PPPs,” Agarwal said.

Rehabilitation and resettlement is an integral part of the new legislation. Many big projects have been delayed or aborted across the country due to the issues related to rehabilitation and resettlement. The proposed law lays down that rehabilitation and resettlement compensation should be house, one-time allowance and either Rs.500,000 or a job or inflation adjusted Rs.2,000 per month for 20 years, for the affected family that includes farm labourers, tenants, sharecroppers and workers.

President of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Suman Jyoti Khaitan said the new legislation would quicken the process of project implementation. “The new law will facilitate rights of landowners, promote industrialisation at a faster pace, mitigate law and order issues and would bring transparency at large,” Khaitan said. “However, implementation part is very critical to achieve desired outcome as there are minimum 55 approvals required to implement any project,” he said.

Thai riot police officers form a line on a highway as rubber farmers block on the other end during a protest in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. At least 12,000 rubber farmers have staged protests and blocked another road in Thailand's south to try to force the government to boost declining rubber prices. (AP Photo/Sumeth Panpetch)

The contrasting treatment of those accused of verbal insults of the monarch and those responsible for violent repression casts a sorry verdict on the process of justice in Thailand

S

even years ago, on 19 September 2006, Thailand's elected prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted from office by a coup. While no blood was shed on the day itself, the period since has been filled with political contention, constriction of political freedom, and at times, open violence. Events around the latest anniversary of the coup confirm that its legacy involves a double violation of justice: impunity for selected actors and almost unimaginable repression of others. This twofold movement is sharply revealed by two recent cases - one currently being prosecuted, and one which may never be prosecuted.

For three days in late August 2013, the criminal court on Bangkok's Ratchadaphisek Road heard witness testimony in the case of a man called Yutthapoom [whose last name is withheld] under Article 112 of Thailand's criminal code. Yutthapoom was charged after his older brother accused him of insulting the monarchy. Article 112 prescribes draconian punishments of three-to-fifteen years' imprisonment for individuals judged to have defamed, insulted, or threatened Thailand's king, queer, heir-apparent or regent.

Although this lèse majesté law has been on the books since 1957, its use has risen sharply in the years since the coup of September 2006. Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul is currently serving the largest sentence meted out under Article 112; she was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for a fifty-five minute speech which allegedly insulted the monarchy. What makes Yutthapoom’s case different from many others is that his alleged criminal acts took place in the private

T

he Nagas of old were feared as head hunters but trusted and for their sincerity, honesty, simplicity, Strong Community and Family ties. Today the Nagas no longer hunt heads but hunt souls (so they say). Our undying gratitude to the Christian missionaries. Who with their genuine hunger to serve Christ spread the message of Christ’s love to the heathen head hunters and clothes the ‘Naked Nagas” with the garment of Christ’s love. The age-old practice of head hunting give way to soul hunting.

But let us ask ourselves today, how many souls were really hunted? How many of us can say, I have been faithful to my faith? The conditions that our society is in today speak loud and clear of how faithful we have been to our faith.

If only we are as faithful and enthusiastic as our for-fathers were in hunting heads as was the tradition then. Sometimes I wonder what is really happening to our society today. Everything seems to be going haywire.

I was told that, once upon a time-the Nagas were down-to-earth and earthfriendly, tilled the soiled with their hands to make a clean living. Everybody took bright in working hard for his living. If there is one thing the Nagas fervently believe in, it was in the dignity of labour.

Life was hard yet at the same time it was fun. Sad to say, the long cherished ideal of the dignity of labour seems they been push to the background. Now everybody (with the exception of a few) to not want to keep their hands clean and are bent on making a dirty living. Easy and fast money seems to be the order of the day.

Nagas work hard no doubt but to make easy money, who is going tell them that there is as much as dignity and tilling the soil as in driving car?

With the idea of dignity of labour having ceased some time ago, the idea of unemployment seems to have undergone a change. When we talk of employment the first thing to come in our

space of his home. The person who filed the complaint against him was his older brother, who reported that Yutthapoom uttered insulting words while watching television and wrote such words onto a CD. The prosecutor had the option of throwing out the case on the basis that it was a family matter, or because the older brother did not have a witness to corroborate his accusations. Instead, the case moved forward and Yutthapoom spent 333 days behind bars without bail before witness hearings began. He remains in jail; the court will deliver its verdict on 13 September 2013.

Death in the temple On 6 August 2013, southern Bangkok's criminal court - an hour or so across the city from the Ratchadaphisek Road court, depending on traffic - had delivered its ruling over a postmortem inquest in the case of six civilians killed on 19 May 2010. That was the final day of the state crackdown on the "Red Shirt" protesters who had been peacefully occupying much of central Bangkok. The civilians were killed inside a Buddhist temple, Wat Pathum Wanaram, which was close to the heart of the protests.

The southern Bangkok court ruled that these six civilians were killed by soldiers. Its documentation stated: “The deaths were caused by being shot with .223 or 5.56 mm bullets and the direction of fire was from where the competent officials were stationed to perform their duties to maintain order on the BTS’s rail tracks in front of Wat Pathum Wanaram Ratcha Worawiharn and around Rama I Road. At the instructions of the Center for Resolution of Emergency Situation [CRES, the temporary state agency coordinating the crackdown under the authority of the emergency decree], the officials took control over the area of the Ratchaprasong Intersection. And as a result of that, the first deceased died of gunshot wounds on his lungs and heart causing hemorrhage, the second deceased died of gunshot wound that destroyed his lungs, the third deceased died of gunshot wounds that destroyed his lungs, heart and liver, the fourth deceased died of gunshot wounds that destroyed his lungs and liver, the fifth deceased died of gunshot wounds that destroyed her brain and the sixth deceased died of

gunshot wounds that went through his oral cavity, whilst no particular perpetrators can be identified” [this unofficial translation is provided by Prachatai].

The killings of those inside the temple was the culmination of two months of a contentious standoff between the appointed government of prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Red Shirts, who were calling for new elections, clean standards and the end of corruption in politics. In total, ninety-four persons were killed and over 2,100 injured, many seriously, in the crackdown. It remains to be seen whether the inquest results in the Wat Pathum Wanaram case, or other similar ones, become the basis of criminal charges filed either against the army, the CRES, or the then prime minister. At present, the Thai parliament is discussing the details of a possible amnesty bill in relation to the violence of April-May 2010, and who and what will be covered by it. For now, however, none of those who either gave the orders for the crackdown or those who carried out are behind bars. A key factor in what happens next is the degree of political will to redress impunity and secure accountability over these events.

Justice's double standard These are only two examples of the strange incongruities that dominate the courts in post-coup, Thailand, where the king (Rama IX) has reigned for over six decades. They reflect a broader crisis: not just of accountability, but of who counts as human, and therefore worthy of protection. What happens in the courts is shot through with politics and largely devoid of humanity, meaning that the fate of justice hangs constantly in the balance.

It is not insignificant that both the prior Democrat Party government of Abhisit Vejjajiva and the current Pheu Thai government of Yingluck Shinawatra (Thaksin's sister) refuse to acknowledge the Article 112 prisoners as political prisoners - for reasons one can only guess, if one does not wish to run afoul of the law oneself. For now, it appears that a person reported by a sibling for allegedly making a questionable comment at home is more likely to spend time in jail than one who shoots, or orders the shooting, of unarmed civilians inside a temple.

“Nagas then and now” John Kips yimchunger

mind is, ‘white-collar job’. Our concept of employment has become so narrow and wrong. We cry ourselves hoarse over unemployment problems if we do not get a white collar job. If we all go for Government jobs there won’t be a breading space; we well die of suffocation. The Government offices over crowded as it is, mostly by the people who in the slogan “workless and talk more”. We seem have lost the idea of employing ourselves to stand our own feet. We think that we have to have degrees after degrees to our credit to exhibited ourselves as educated we think that if we don’t have one or the other degree, we are misfits, good for nothing since we cannot get a white collar job. We are being brain washed by our educational system which say that the only respectable job we can have is the Government job. Without holding one we are another frustrated unemployed youth in the never-ending statistical list of ‘Educated’ or ‘Uneducated’ unemployed. Along with our educational qualification we have to have another equally important qualification. We must have parents loaded with money; relative in ‘High places’ make all the ‘right moves’ with all the right people. Kudos to a handful of true sons of a Nagas. Who have with all their bottomless sincerity, faith and tine of hard work rose to height of triumph against all odds to stand out from the maddening crowd, as heroes to look up to and to imitate.

A persons worth once measured by good he contributes to the community, now is measured in terms of number of cars he has, number in size of his buildings, bank balance and the amount he

generously (?) donates to the church. No wonder it’s a jungle out here; rich man’s jungle were justice is out of place. Altruism has simply being replaced by individualism and materialism. Nagas not so longer ago prided itself of being a classless society; now we can only hang our heads in shame for the ivory towers and iron gates (as high as the skies). Securely looked by gains locks that separate the rich and poor; the educated and the uneducated. The Naga of yore took pride in the lavish expenditure of his wealth for his community. Being earth-friendly cared and shared the rich natural bounties. Wanton destruction of the rich and beautiful natural resources for, greet was never a Naga style. He lived closer to the earth in was nurtured in the late lap of Mother Nature he was content with simple thing that nature generously bestowed on him. He was never in want now we are faced with the consequences of our own greedy actions if only we realized that natural wealth was never meant for our greed but only for our need: Age-old values like simplicity, honesty, integrity, respect for elders and authority, helping out a friends seems to have become things of the past. An illiterate village elder who never held a pen in his soiled hand, once leads his people to victory and was trusted respected by his folks he was ever ready to sacrifice his all for his people. Can we say the same of our so-called educated leaders, preachers and teachers of today? True, there are still some unsung Heroes even today who equally deserves our respects. May their people increase.

Why do we go on fighting among

wRiTE-wiNg

ourselves? Why do we robe and killing our brothers? Why do we dishonour our own sisters? Why do we cheat our own parents? Why do we put own that holierthan-thou attitude? Forgive me for being so ignorant. But I am only spelling out the silence scream of every perplexed and confused youth you pass by in the street.

Why do we go on slavishly copying the western? Our youths are today talking big about pop culture, movies and videos, drinks and drugs, violence and crimes, sex and sin, the list goes on and on. Every society has its own vices and virtues. The vices (not the virtue) of the western society seem to have more attraction for our youths.

We think whatever of the west is better than our fore-fathers have let us with. Here in lies our identity crisis.

We are neither here nor there. Our identity lies in our rich culture and tradition. While marching forward with the modern time our feet need to be securely standing on the ground were fore-fathers once proudly walked on?

In the present Naga society the youth play a very limited role. Youth is the most dynamic and productive period. Training ground for a more responsible adulthood.

But our Naga youth portray a very poor picture. Who is to be blame? What lies behind the mask they put on? One need not look far to see the emptiness, the frustration and confusion in their eyes. Why don’t we give them another chance? Show them that we care? Hard times, trying times, shape and mould us for the better, people live through the hard times with the faith that good times will come again.

What we ‘do’ or ‘do not do’ will shape our today and tomorrow. I know that there is still a world of good tucked away in every corner of our big Naga heart. We put on a mask trying to hide our real self, lest people say we Are ‘old fashioned’. Why don’t we put our mask away, forget what others say and bring out the good, all simple Naga to the surface and let it shine?

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender.

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

7

TuEsday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

10 September 2013

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

The Great migration of Amur Falcon Land, Language And Religion S ananya s Guha

M.Lokeswara Rao I.F.s

principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Kohima: Nagaland

T

he Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis), formerly Eastern Red-footed Falcon, is a small raptor of the falcon family. It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China, wintering in Southern Africa. Its diet consists mainly of insects, such as termites. Males are characteristically dark sooty brown with the chestnut on the vent .Females may offer a bit more confusion with a wider range of falcons as they have a typical falcon head pattern.

The Great migration of the Amur Falcon from Mangolia (spend the summer) to South Africa (spend the winter) and back home (Mangolia) One of the most mysterious passage migrants of India is the beautiful Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis).

This falcon breeds in Northern China and South eastern Siberia and spends all summer there. It undertakes a migration journey from this region all the way to Southern Africa where they spend the winter and then undertake the journey back home .This raptor is not among the endangered list. Bernd Meyburg and his team has presented the first ever satellite tracking data for Amur Falcons at two conferences, one in the East (Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network conference, Mongolia) and one in South Africa (Birds of Prey Programme Conference, Kimberley). The information gathered on 7 tracked Amur falcons most probably represents the most exciting satellite tracking data from raptors since the first long distance raptor migrants were tracked.

The Amur Falcon has one of the longest raptor migrations, but is also unique because it supposedly flies a long distance over the sea.

It was believed that they flew mostly over land during their return journey, but data from Bernd has shown that they fly a distance 2,500 to 3,100km over the sea in spring and do this by flying non-stop for between 2 and 3 days. Other interesting information presented include that there is quite a lot of movement between roosts in their wintering area, they have stop over points on their migration route back to the breeding grounds, and fly south of the Himalayas in northern India. They are also capable of covering huge amounts of distance in a few days and were able to travel up much of Africa in only a few days. Satellite tracking of raptors on migration has become an indispensable tool in studying the routes taken by birds. It is especially useful when used in areas where there is little chance of recovering ringed birds.

In the past, it was not possible to track any of the small falcons due to the size of the satellite transmitters. However, in 2009, the first transmitters became available that were small enough not to affect the survival of the birds (typically <3% of the body mass). Flight 95773(the number given to the Amur falcon bird which is fitted with solar powered transmitter and antenna) Wearing a tiny solar-powered transmitter on her back, and tracked by satellites 850km above, she flies 14 560km, including a 5-daynon-stop journey of 5 912km at 50km/h Satellites track Flight 95773 an Amur Falcon, as she flies to Mongolia from Newcastle (South Africa) with a tiny transmitter on her back. She gives her trackers a showstopper they could never have imagined: a non-stop leg 5 912km over 5 days.

She is one of 10 falcons trapped in Newcastle (South Africa) and fitted with transmitters. The people behind the venture don’t believe in giving birds names, but they give her, and nine other falcons, numbers. Each is the ID of the GPS Platform

I

n May 2009, Tjostolv Moland and Joshua French, two former Norwegian soldiers, rented a car to transport them and their broken down motorcycle across the jungle in Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were accompanied by the driver, Abedi Kasongo, and two of his employees, who needed a lift home.

A few hours later, Kasongo, the 42 year old driver, lay dead - his body riddled with bullets. The other two Congolese escaped and a manhunt had begun for the two Norwegians, who were being accused of committing the crime. A few days later, both Moland and French were arrested and were charged with the murder of Kasongo, attempted murder of the two accompanying Congolese, possession of illegal weapons, armed robbery and espionage.

These are the basic facts of a case which has attracted international attention. But as to what happened on that moonlit Congolese evening, there are two contradictory versions: the two Congolese claim that Moland and French had an argument with Kasongo, asked him to step out of the car and shot him dead, while the Norwegians explained that he was killed when they were ambushed by bandits in the jungle.

The two men, who had previously worked for private security firms in many African countries, e.g. as security guards in the Gulf of Aden, claimed that they were in the DRC to research setting up their own security company. Because both men were carrying (no longer valid) Norwegian military identification cards when they were captured, the prosecution claimed that they were ‘spying’ for Norway. The Congolese authorities later discovered a rifle, counterfeit IDs and United Nations caps among their belongings, while a confiscated camera contained a picture of a smiling Moland wiping blood, allegedly that of Kasongo, from the inside of a car. Additionally, a weapon belonging to Moland was later reclaimed from the jungle, but since an autopsy was never conducted on Kasongo, it was not possible

Amur Falcon

Terminal Transmitter (PTT) strapped to their backs. Hers is PTT 95773.The bird lovers and scientists behind the venture are hoping these small birds with their tiny transmitters will solve one of ornithology’s great mysteries. Where 95773 is heading on that first day of autumn is known.

The mystery is her route, not her destination: the breeding grounds of Mongolia. For a long time ornithologists have debated the route that Amur Falcon stake to Mongolia.

She is the pilot, sole passenger, navigator, engine and refueller. She’s Flight 95773.In the first day of autumn, Amur falcon lifts off on an epic 14 560km journey. Part of this will be a five-day nonstop 5 912km flight, mostly over the Indian Ocean, a journey one scientist describes as “amazing”. She’s an Amur Falcon, a small bird of prey not much bigger than a pigeon. 95773 is built for long-haul flight. Her sleek tapered wings power her to speeds of more than 50km/h and allow her to glide on thermals for long distances What makes this Amur Falcon specialist that sitting on her back is a matchbox sized GPS transmitter that will beam data to several satellites orbiting 850km above the earth. Tracking 95773 will be expensive.

Finally the migration of back journey from South Africa to magnolia is tracked through satellite. It starts its back journey after spending winter and passes through Mozambique, Tanzania, Southern Somalia, flies over Indian Ocean, over Arabian coast, South West Karachi, Eastern India, Eastern Burma and after several other stops, she arrives at her destination the breeding grounds of the Amur Falcon in Mongolia.

During 2012 there was wide coverage of its migration in media and it captured international attention because people hunted this raptor while migrating to Doyang catchment area of Wokha district of Nagaland this is a major threat to this

unanda K Datta Ray the veteran journalist writing in The Telegraph Kolkata has anatomized the violence in Assam as attributed to three factors: land, language and culture. While economic causes are primary, language and culture I think are peripheral.

To the common man or woman language and culture matter little, it is the economic possession valued not so much in terms of money, but assets in the form of land which is a bone of contention for the poor, who has to live on a day to day basis, and perhaps fortuitously. While culture did predominate in the larger Assamese ethos in the struggle against 'Foreign Nationals' this same feeling rebounded, because the smaller tribal communities also reacted against a pan Assamese culture by speaking against linguistic domination or subservience, the very same communities who hitherto considered themselves to be Assamese.

The formation of the Bodoland Tribal Council and the Bodoland Tribal Autonomous Districts (BTAD) were a step towards autonomy, but at what cost? Soon fissures erupted, against the Assamese, the Adivasis, the Bengali Hindu and the Bengali Muslim, in different phases dating back to the early nineties.

Assam as Ray has rightly pointed out is a microcosmic India and this we must protect. Its inhabitants tribal or not are very much a part of larger traditions and cultures. The Assamese language is spoken in pidgin form in Nagaland, as lingua franca and even in Arunachal Pradesh. But Ray is right in a way; cultural assimilation perhaps is a solution to the problem. In parts of Assam the average person immigrant or otherwise can speak Assamese fluently. But in the BTAD areas it is doubtful whether such assimilation has taken place.

Mind you not all Bodos are Hindus; there are Christians as well, so the analysis of a sharp Hindu Muslim divide is a bit facile as well.

The ethno religious stance is now taken for granted. I am not sure, student leaders and social workers have pointed out that these communities have been living in harmony and contiguity for years. So the reason can then be 'political' or some political agencies out to create disruption in a semblance of order.

Autonomy is power, if that power is not willing to be shared among all sections of the society, then there can be subversion of order. When the Bodos wanted autonomy, they were in actuality clamouring for rights associated with language and economy.

The word culture is too broad and obfuscating for the commoner.

But it so turned out that in these areas there were other linguistic and religious communities as well. Such heterogeneity marks other parts of Assam as well; which is integral to a larger Assamese matrix and culture which makes this part of India so beautiful, with rumbustious songs and dances, the inimitable Bihu festival, the folk songs of Goalpara language which incidentally is an intermix of Assamese and Bengali, on the hinterland of the Bodo areas. Bodos, Adivasis have contributed to the Assamese language and literature in the form of creative writing such as poetry.

Culture is give and take, land, money and spoilage are not. Even as the tension abates in Assam, in the Bodo areas, it will take a long time for wounds to heal, and the refugee camps to be dismantled till homes and hearths are re established once again. This same context is true for the rest of India, microcosmic and macrocosmic cultures intermingle and also there is collision. One is of course the larger Hindu Muslim animosity, and anti 'others' as in Maharashtra, culminating against Hindi speaking people who whether we like it or not, form the heartland of India.

Even as I write these I can only feel sad, but writing is catharsis.

Now, thanks to ‘Telengana’ there have been separatist demands for state formation by the Bodos and the Karbis. This has spilled over to other parts of the country such as West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.

Even our own state Meghalaya is feeling the pangs. The writing on the wall is quite clear: a different language necessitates a separate state. Whether, this is legitimate or not is a matter of polemics. After all, states in India were carved out initially largely on a linguistic basis. So, if we push this logic to its end then there is no end! Language is related to a particular culture, maybe even religion, the arts, music and literature. Whenever, we talk about language these inevitably come up as strong cultural forces. Even the government encourages the literatures of small miniscule communities of the country through bodies like Sahitya Academy and the Lalit Kala Academy.

Language and its diversities are a hallmark of the country. There is hardly any other country in the world which boasts of such diversity.

To live in the midst of such linguistic and even religious diversity is a challenge. Only history will tell whether the people of India are ‘argumentative’ enough to withstand demands which sound legitimate on the one hand but go contrary to the spirit of diversity. Diversity in itself is a spirit to reckon with but so is language which is inherent to a person. History the great arbiter which does not always repeat itself as Romila Thapar argues will be the determinant here. In the God loved birds and invented tress. Man meantime, forces which are discontent in the form of both political loved birds invented cages ..........Jacques Davel and a-political will continue to voice their grievances. If we make this into an ethnic syndrome then we are both right and wrong. We are Note: This article is prepared based on information from right because language is related to ethnicity, we are wrong because various scientific papers for which citation are given. it countervails to the spirit and best relations of diversity. beautiful bird and this bird also sighted in other parts of the Nagaland. The forest Department has done its best to convince the people for conservation and for safe passage of our guest Amur Falcon. These raptors will come to Nagaland during October- November and from here migrate to the South Africa.

This year the Forest Department is taking various precautionary measures to give safe passage to our guest Amur Falcon. The Rural Development department has instructed the Grants-in-Aid funds released to all the recognized villages in the State be utilized for protection of environment, as a check and control measure. It is proposed that all the villages will now be mandatorily responsible for conservation of ecological environment, wild life preservation within their respective village jurisdiction. The villages that is reported to be in the habit of destroying the local environment and wild life will be penalized by stopping their Grants-in-Aid allocated to the villages and this fund will be utilized for environmental protection activities with the coordination of the Forest Department in the State. The forest department has written to all Wildlife warden of the district to coordinate with the Rural development Department and requested all DCs and SPs to issues appropriate orders banning of hunting.

The wild life wing of the department with the help of forest staff in divisions are involving the local communities, Village Councils, NGOs, students in awareness campaign in a big way in a participatory approach. Marking a significant milestone for conservation of Amur Falcons in Nagaland, three villages in Wokha district have pledged to save the migratory raptor in Doyang Reservoir - its largest roosting site in the country. With mass annual hunt potentially threatening the species, a resolution has been passed by the villages to penalise offenders, this year onwards. Village Council Members (VCM) of Pangti, Asshaa and Sungro signed a tri-party Memorandum of Understanding with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the Wokha-based NGO Natural Nagas, to assist the Nagaland Forest Department to stop the wide-scale hunt which was brought to light last year. Many NGO are helping Forest Department in awareness campaign for protection and safe passage of Amur Falcons.

It is also observed people are helping the Forest Department by donating the wild animals to be kept in Nagaland Zoological Park. The Forest Department is conveying its gratitude to all who have donated wild animals and also appeal to spread conservation movement in a big way by conserving and protection of wildlife in its natural habitat. The department needs people cooperation and participation in conservation of rich biodiversity as Nagaland falls in Indo Myanmar hotspot and people’s participation is necessary for safe passage to Amur Falcon. It is also to mention that as the Doyang catchment area is recognised internationally for Amur Falcon migration during October and November. Government can promote ecotourism during the Amur Falcon migration period and it will attract foreigners to see the roosting of the lakhs of beautiful tiny Amur Falcons and the livelihoods of the local people will improve with ecotourism.

Let us pledge to save “our dear guest” Amur Falcon during its migration October- November and everyone’s must help her to give safe passage to migrate from Nagaland to South Africa.

A death in the Congo

to conclude whether this was in fact the weapon which caused his death.

In late 2009, Moland and French were produced in a military court and convicted of espionage and murder. Both were sentenced to death.

The case goes international Since there was an espionage conviction, Norway was ordered to pay around five hundred million US dollars to the Congolese state. Norwegian authorities denied that Moland and French were spying for the country, stating that there was no contact between them and any official agency since 2007. Jonas Gahr Store, the Foreign Minister of Norway at the time, said that Moland and French “were not acting on behalf of Norway and were not tied to Norwegian authorities”.

However, a retrial was ordered after it was discovered that the procedures at the military court were ‘flawed’. In June 2010, French and Moland were tried, convicted and sentenced to death again. But this time, the Norwegian state was ordered to pay around sixty five million US dollars. The sentence was deemed ‘completely unacceptable’ by the Norwegian government, with Store stressing that “Norway was not a party to the case”. Norway, expectedly, did not pay.

On 18 August 2013, Moland was found dead in his cell. He was 32 years old. The autopsy report concluded that he probably took his own life. Reacting to the news of Moland’s death, Espen Barth Eide, the current Norwegian Foreign Minister, stated that the “main focus now was to get French home”, adding that French's return was “more important now than ever”.

Whether the Congolese authorities will concede to a request by Norwegian diplomats to let Joshua French return home is uncertain, and new developments

Kiran Mohandas Menon

On 18 August, Tjostolv Moland, a 32-year-old former officer of the Norwegian army, was found dead in his prison cell in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

His strange case highlights the need to develop the DRC's justice system to end a cycle of impunity and violence

are likely to follow in the next weeks.

Guns for hire?

But this doesn't answer the question of what Moland and French were doing in the DRC. In this regard, a letter allegedly written

by Moland while he was in Uganda may hold some answers.

The letter was addressed to Laurent Nkunda, a former General in the Congolese military, and a hugely controversial figure who has been internationally reviled as a war criminal and primarily held responsible for the Nord-Kivu conflict in 2008. This conflict took place in the Eastern DRC province of Nord-Kivu between Nkunda’s National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP) and the DRC military. It displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and created such a shortage of food and supplies that the UN described it as “a humanitarian

crisis of catastrophic dimensions”. Infighting in Nkunda’s rebel faction, also notorious for its mass recruitment of child soldiers, would ultimately lead to the cessation of the fighting and to Nkunda's downfall.

In the letter, Moland described Nkunda as “the right man to lead this massive country into the future it deserves”, while offering his services gathering “field and human intelligence”. “Give me command”, he continues, "and I will be your loyal servant”.

But these plans fell through when Nkunda was arrested in 2009 in a joint Congolese-Rwandan operation, and the former warlord is said to be currently detained in Rwanda. Many observers viewed this as a positive development, especially because Nkunda was largely seen as being aided and furthering the agenda of those attempting to worsen the crisis to destabilise the DRC from abroad. Meanwhile, Bosco Ntaganda, the former Chief of Staff of Laurent Nkunda’s CNDP, recently surrendered at the United States embassy in the Rwandan capital Kigali, and is currently under trial at the International Criminal Court.

Considering these elements, it appears that French and Moland were two guns for hire, who found their way into the DRC with the plan of lending their services and experience (Moland had been an officer in the Norwegian army, while French received military training in both Norway and Britain) to one of the country's warring factions. But not much more can be proved regarding their exact intentions.

The bigger picture Beyond this case, the fact remains that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is easily among the most troubled regions in the world, with both the crimes regularly committed by warring factions and the grotesque suffering inflicted on the people remaining notoriously underreported. The

Congolese justice system is weak, and this weakness further fuels a cycle of impunity.

Since the beginning of the Second Congo War (1998-2003), the deadliest in modern African history, more than five million people have lost their lives. Perpetrators of War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity have been left unpunished, with several war criminals still reportedly part of the Congolese military.

As warlords, paramilitaries and militias continue to commit brutal crimes, there is little hope that they will one day be held accountable for their actions. Equally discouraging is the fact that, because of the rampant corruption in all sections of the society, there are documented accounts of convicted persons simply buying their freedom.

Aaron Hall, who authored a report titled Time Works against Justice on the Congolese judicial system’s role in promoting this “cycle of impunity”, states that the Congolese justice system suffers from a lack of “capacity, transparency, accountability and resources”, stressing that the “lack of accountability" had fostered "a war that has killed more than five million people”.

In a country that has been suffering from one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent times, prison conditions are unsurprisingly shocking. In 2008, ten people died of malnutrition in the span of a few days in a prison in the East of the country. A team of UN officials visiting the prison found that many more were severely ill and near death.

Children were also reported to have been imprisoned in Congolese prisons with adults.

Taking these elements into account, what the future holds for the DRC is uncertain. As for French and Moland's case, as in many others in the recent history of the country, the only certainty is that Abdel Kasongo's and Tjostolv Moland's families have lost a son, husband or father, with little hope of ever getting a satisfying explanation – or justice – for what happened. And that the weakness of the DRC's justice system will only lead to more and more impunity and violence in this troubled region of the world.

Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Tuesday 10 September 2013

The Morung Express

Muzaffarnagar: Blame game begins over riots

LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 9 (ptI): Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged “political conspiracy” behind the riots in Muzaffarnagar to destabilise his government while rival BSP blamed ruling SP for the violence, escalating the political blame game over the communal strife. “The violence is a political conspiracy to defame and destablise my government, which is doing a good job for poor, youths, muslims and all sections of the society”, Yadav said, as BJP and RLD demanded imposition of President’s rule in UP. “Political parties are trying to find ways to attack the government, they had done this earlier also.

Earlier, in Shamli they tried to vitiate atmosphere of the state but it was thwarted”, said Yadav, who is under attack over the violence.

He was talking to reporters in Lucknow at a function to see off Haj pilgrims leaving for Mecca. BSP chief Mayawati and RLD leader Ajit Singh blamed Samajwadi Party(SP) and BJP for the violence in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas of UP saying the two were advancing their political interests by polarising voters. They demanded imposition of central rule.

“One can see the hands of BJP and SP behind this.

Lok Sabha polls are near and both the parties want to give a communal colour to the polls...it is their political gameplan,” Mayawati

Stalker’s death triggered Muzaffarnagar conflagration

Mehrana, a 6-year-old girl injured in communal clashes, gets treatment at a district hospital in Muzaffarnagar, about 125 kilometers (78 miles) north of New Delhi, on Monday, September 9. Sectarian violence was spreading into new areas of northern India on Monday, despite an army-enforced curfew put in place after deadly weekend clashes broke out between Hindus and Muslims that has killed at least 28 people and left many more missing. (AP Photo)

said in New Delhi. Union minister and RLD supremo Ajit Singh, who was detained in Ghaziabad while entering the riot-hit areas on Monday, said BJP wants polarisation of votes, and “so does SP”. “Both think they will gain...why did BJP send (Amit) Shah to UP - first to Ayodhya and then Mathura,” questioned Singh whose party is a UPA ally.

Mayawati said both the parties are hand-in-glove to further their political in-

terests ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls. “They wanted to disturb the communal fabric of not only the state but the entire country under the garb of (VHP’s) 84kosi yatra. But people have seen through their political gameplan which stands exposed,” the BSP supremo said. Ajit Singh said since the Akhilesh government has little to show in terms of development during its rule, it is using the communal divide to get votes in the general elections.

Delhi gang rape verdicts today

NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 9 (IANS): Tuesday will be the judgment day for the four accused standing trial in a Delhi court for the Dec 16, 2012, gang rape that sparked nationwide protests and nudged the central government into enacting a stringent anti-rape law. Additional Session Judge Yogesh Khanna will decide the fate of four accused - Mukesh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur - after almost nine months of the brutal crime in which a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern was gang-raped in a moving bus.

The four accused were charged with gang rape, murder, attempt to murder, unnatural offences, destruction of evidence and dacoity, among other offences. They may face a maximum punishment of death if found guilty. A juvenile involved in the crime was Aug 31 sent by the Juvenile Justice Board to a reform home for three years after concluding that he was involved in rape and murder.

The gory attack sparked protests across the country with some people demanding the execution of the accused and some calling for chemical castration. The charge sheet in the case was filed Jan 3 and trial started Feb 5. The prosecution presented 85 witnesses and the defence 17. Police said in the charge sheet the juvenile was the most brutal of all the accused. One accused, Ram Singh, died during trial. The case against Ram Singh was dropped after he was found dead, hanging in his cell in Tihar Jail here.

“It is because Samajwadi Party fears the voters’ ire against the government’s non-performance that they have resorted to communalising the region,” he said. Both claimed that since the SP came to power in UP, the state has witnessed 100 cases of communal riots.

BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad, who was also detained at Ghaziabad, said if proper, strong action had been taken at the appropriate time it would not have led

mUzAffArNAgAr (UttAr prADESH), SEptEmbEr 9 (IANS): Two brothers kill a man stalking their sister and the stalker’s family kills both of them. It was a revenge killing that triggered sectarian violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district that has left 28 people dead. On Aug 27, two brothers of a girl were beaten to death when they went to talk to the family of a stalker who was stabbed to death by them in Kawaal village.

Sources said police registered the first information report (FIR) against the parents of the girl who were not present on the spot. The inclusion of parents’ names in the FIR did not go down well with the majority community of the area, following which the sympathizers of the girl’s family announced a panchayat in Kawaal Aug 31. The rival community opposed the plan. Opposing the Kawaal panchayat, a parallel panchayat was planned in Khalapar area of the city. At this, the government representatives, including members of parliament and state legislature, and local leaders dared the Kawaal panchayat organisers to hold

to the current situation in in Lucknow even as curfew Muzaffarnagar. remained in force in riothit areas and army staged Violence spreads to more flag march for the second areas, toll mounts to 31 consecutive day. Violence Uttar Pradesh was on spread to neighbouring Monday struggling to con- district of Shamli where tain communal violence a 40-year-old Imam of a as the death toll in Muzaf- mosque, Maulana Umar farnagar and other areas Din, was shot dead, Shamrose to 31, with authori- li district magistrate P K ties arresting 200 rioters. Singh said.

“The death toll in the vioConcerned over the lence in Muzaffarnagar and incidents, Prime Minister other areas has climbed Manmohan Singh spoke to to 31,” principal secretary chief minister Akhilesh Yahome R M Srivastava said dav and assured him of all

mUmbAI, SEptEmbEr 9 (AgENCIES): Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday said that the government has proposed a joint action with the United States of America to catch India’s most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim. The Indian government has been trailing Dawood since a long time and the pursuit to nab the prime accused of 1993 Mumbai blasts has caught momentum following the arrest of a number of key terror operatives like Abdul Karim Tunda and Yasin Bhatkal in recent times.

Talking to reporters in the national capital, Sushilkumar Shinde said, “We have arrested some of the most wanted ter-

NGO Breakthrough, working in districts of Hazaribagh and Gaya (in Bihar) and Ranchi in Jharkhand found that over 60% of women between the ages of 20-24 were married before 18.

Breakthrough, which launched its ‘Nation Against Early Marriage’ campaign in Ranchi recently, has so far reached 35,000 women and expects to expand the campaign nationwide and target 100,000 women in the coming months. The NGO — which had spearheaded the successful ‘bell bajao’ campaign against domestic violence — hopes to change the cul-

rorists of late and also killed a few on the border. As far as Dawood Ibrahim is concerned, we are in touch with US intelligence agency FBI.” “There is already a red corner notice against Dawood Ibrahim. We have proposed a joint action with the US to arrest him. US Attorney General Eric Holder has also agreed to this,” he added.

Indian intelligence agencies have claimed for a long time that Dawood Ibrahim is residing in Pakistan under state’s protection, a claim, which has been repeatedly denied by the neighbour nation.

It should be mentioned here that on being asked about the prospects of arresting Dawood

after a series of arrests of some of the most wanted terrorists, Shinde, with a beaming face said, “Just wait, we will bring one by one.”

Dawood, who heads a vast and multifaceted illegal business, emerged as India’s most wanted terrorist after the 1993 Mumbai bombings, which was allegedly organized and financed by him. According to the US, Dawood maintains close links with terror outfit al-Qaeda. As a result, the US declared him as a ‘global terrorist’ and pursued the matter before the United Nations in an attempt to freeze his assets around the world and crack down on his operations.

ture that drives and perpetuates early marriage to replace it with one where the lives, rights and personhood of girls is valued. Worldwide, 60 million girls become child brides every year, of which around 30 million belong to South Asia alone.

‘140 million child brides by 2020 likely’ According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), if the trends continue between 2011 and 2020, more than 140 million girls will become child brides, of which at least 18.5 million will be under the age of 15.

Breakthrough vice-president Sonali Khan said, “This issue came up when we were working with communities in Bihar and Jharkhand. Underage girls are incapable of negotiating domestic violence, are deprived of early health and reproductive rights. This later has implications on child and maternal mortality.”

According to the NGO’s data, the trend is worse in rural areas. In Jharkhand, 71% of girls in rural areas were married before 18 years compared to 33% in urban areas.

In Bihar, 65.2% of girls were married before 18 years compared to 37% in urban areas.

Breakthrough is working with communities where the average age of marriage ranges between 15.1 and 16.4 and cohabitation also happens before the girl is 17. “Our on-?eld trainings that began in April 2013 have witnessed an average participation of 200 middle and high school level students per session. We have targeted fathers or male members of the family who usually make the decision for the young girl. But it is a slow process,” Khan said.

The NGO uses mobile vans, panchayats and folk theatre as medium to create communication tools.

‘Food security law may create financial crisis’

NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 9 (IANS): The recently passed food security legislation “could create a financial crisis for India”, said Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh who stressed that his state is now looking at better health, gainful employment, a risk- and debt-free secure future.

Raman Singh wrote in the Economic Times Monday that the state has “outgrown the adage of roti, kapda aur makaan (food, clothing and shelter)”.

“That bridge has been crossed. We are looking at better health, gainful employment, a risk- and debt-free secure future. And at remaining fiscally responsive,” he wrote. He says he has “learnt the lesson that a state needs to be fiscally robust to run welfare schemes”. “The central Food Security Act of 2013 could create a financial crisis for India. “But Chhattisgarh has implemented the Act at a cost of 1.4% of the gross state domestic product

help from the Centre to deal with the situation. Union home ministry asked Uttar Pradesh government to send Muzaffarnagar situation report every 12 hours.

It also asked the state government to deploy enough forces in rural areas in the district where violence is yet to be contained. Under fire over the violence, UP government transferred top police officials, including Saharanpur DIG, SSP Muzaffarnagar and SP Shamli. Violence-hit Mu-

zaffarnagar lies in Saharanpur range.

“We are also cancelling arms licenses in Phugana, Shahpur, Dhaurakalan as they were misused during the violence,” ADG, law and order, Arun Kumar told reporters in Muzaffarnagar.

UP governor BL Joshi has sent a report on the Muzaffarnagar violence to the Centre, which, sources said in Lucknow, has details regarding the administrative lapses as well as the situation prevailing there.

Top Cabinet ministers Joint action with US proposed poorer than their wives to nab Dawood Ibrahim: Shinde NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 9 wife has bettered him significantly.

India has 40% of world’s child brides: survey

NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 9 (tNN): Jhumki’s (name changed) red and white sakha-pola (wedding bangles) and sindoor jar sharply with her starched uniform. She was forced by her father to marry when she was barely 11 but she feels lucky to be allowed to attend school.

Forty-six per cent of women (between the ages of 18 and 29) in India were married before the age of 18, according to the National Family Health Survey-3. It is estimated that there are 23 million child brides in the country, around 40% of child brides globally. Global human rights

it at the appointed time on Aug 31.

The authorities concerned then assured the angered locals the Khalapar panchayat would be put on hold, and the civil administration after deliberations with the Bhartiya Kisan Union leaders Rakesh and Naresh Tikait announced that the scheduled panchayat had been postponed. A huge gathering of about 40,000 people turned out but the Kawaal panchayat organizers called off the proceedings and announced the assembly again Sep 7. But when the participants of the - ‘Beti Bachao Bahoo Bachao panchayat’ - were returning to their homes they were attacked by swords at Basi village under Shahpur police station.

The police booked under the National Security Act (NSA) eight people, of whom seven people were from the majority community and one person was from the minority community. The riot quickly spread to the neighbouring areas falling under Shamli and Meerut districts. “The administration has put the adjoining districts of Meerut, Baghpat, Bulandshahr on high alert...,” IG (Meerut Zone) Brij Bhushan told IANS.

(GSDP) and has managed to contain its fiscal deficit within the fiscally prudent ceiling of 3% of GSDP.” The Chhattisgarh chief minister, who is heading the BJP government in the mineral-rich state since December 2003, wrote that successive Reserve Bank of India studies of state finances have ranked Chhattisgarh among the top-three best-performing states in critical fiscal parameters and management. “During the last decade, it has maintained fiscal discipline, including sustainable debt management. The economic and fiscal indicators of Chhattisgarh have consistently been better than most other states. The annual growth rate during the 11th Plan has been 8.4% compared to the 7.9% average for all states.

“On the fiscal side, the ratio of revenue receipts, state’s own tax revenue, debt, interest payment as well as fiscal

deficit to GSDP has been significantly better than the national average. In fact, Chhattisgarh has the lowest debtGSDP ratio among the states.” Raman Sing wrote that Chhattisgarh’s “overall fiscal management has also been far more prudent and efficient if you compare it with the Centre, for example”. “While the debt stock to GDP ratio of the Centre has ballooned to 40%, Chhattisgarh’s outstanding liability is pegged at 17%. Similarly, the ratio of revenue receipts to GDP of the Centre, at 9%, is less than half that of Chhattisgarh.”

He went on to write that in the economic sector, there has been substantial investment in agriculture and allied activities. “In spite of the economic slowdown, industrial growth rate has far exceeded the national average. This would have been better but for the policy paralysis of the Centre, particularly in the core sector. “Food

and nutrition security, health and skill development have remained the centrepiece of our efforts. We are the first and only state to have Food and Nutrition Security Act, Right to Skill Development Act and a Universal Health Insurance Scheme.

“In many ways, the Chhattisgarh Right to Food and Nutrition Act is far more progressive and inclusive compared to the central Act.” Raman Singh noted that it guarantees nutrition security, “whereas the central Act is limited to food grain”. “The state Act covers nearly 90% of households compared to 67.1% under the central Act. Similarly, the state Act provides for 35 kg of food grain per household whereas under the central Act, the entitlement is 5 kg per person. Considering the national average of five persons per household, the average works out to only 25 kg per household.”

(tNN): All 10 Cabinet ministers who have disclosed their assets and liabilities for last year have seen their wealth increase. In some cases, like those of P Chidambaram, Sharad Pawar and Veerappa Moily, their better halves have a higher net worth than them.

Only 19 of the 76 members in the council of ministers have made their financial details for 2012-2013 public so far. However, they still have at least six more months to submit the information. Ministers are required to submit details of their assets and liabilities to the prime minister every financial year. Among those who have made their assets public are AK Antony, Chidambaram, Pawar, Moily, Kumari Selja, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh, Oscar Fernandes and Dinsha Patel.

Finance minister Chidambaram’s net assets have increased from Rs 11.96 crore to Rs 12.70 crore. His wife’s net assets have increased from Rs 17.79 crore to Rs 19.48 crore while as a Hindu undivided family, the Chidambarams’ assets have gone up from Rs 18.51 lakh to Rs 19.24 lakh.

NCP chief and agriculture minister Pawar’s assets have increased from 7.86 crore to Rs 8.75 crore. His

Her net worth has gone up from Rs 4.70 crore to Rs 13.46 crore while as a Hindu undivided family, their assets have increased from Rs 3.58 crore to Rs 5.81 crore.

Petroleum minister Moily’s finances are even more modest than his wife’s. While his wife’s earnings in 2012-2013 were Rs 3.08 crore, dropping marginally from last year’s Rs 3.10 crore, Moily himself owns assets worth only Rs 25.55 lakh.

Kumari Selja’s assets have grown from Rs 19.54 crore to Rs 29.56 crore, boosted substantially by sale of two plots in Gurgaon.

Commerce minister Sharma’s assets have risen from Rs 4.02 crore to Rs 4.29 crore. Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh’s assets have increased from Rs 3.13 crore to Rs 4.78 crore. His wife’s net assets have gone down from Rs 11 lakh in 2011-2012 to Rs 10 lakh in 2012-2013.

Home minister Shinde’s finances rose from Rs 7.42 crore to Rs 10.83 crore while his wife’s fortunes have increased from Rs 4.53 crore to Rs 5.77 crore. Chidambaram’s net assets have increased from Rs 11.96 crore to Rs 12.70 crore while his wife’s have risen from Rs 17.79 crore to Rs 19.48 crore.

22 of India’s 32 big cities face water crisis

NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 9 (tNN): Water scarcity is fast becoming urban India’s number one woe, with government’s own data revealing that residents in 22 out of 32 major cities have to deal with daily shortages.

The worst-hit city is Jamshedpur, where the gap between demand and supply is a yawning 70%. The crisis is acute in Kanpur, Asansol, Dhanbad, Meerut, Faridabad, Visakhapatnam, Madurai and Hyderabad — where supply fails to meet almost 30% of the demand — according to data provided by states which was placed in the Lok Sabha during the recently-concluded Parliament session by the urban development ministry.

The figures reveal that in Greater Mumbai and Delhi — which have the highest water demand among all cities — the gap between demand and supply is comparatively less. The shortfall is 24% for Delhi and 17% for Mumbai. However, the situation is worse than that.

For example, in Delhi, 3,156 million litres of water (MLD) is supplied against the requirement of 4,158. But around 40% of the supply is lost in distribution resulting in a much wider gap between demand and supply than what’s recorded.

“In official records, many cities might be getting adequate water.

But because of faulty engineering and poor maintenance, the actual availability is much less,” said Dilip Fouzdar, a water resource management professional.

He added that though Mumbai gets good rains in comparison to many other big cities, very little of this is actually harvested. “A robust system to recharge ground water can make the city avoid any water shortage,” Fouzdar said.

Experts say that population of cities such as Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and Kanpur have increased manifold, resulting in increased demand for water. But the deeper problem is one of short-sightedness, they said — governments wake up to water demand in a city after the situation has become acute. One such example is Gurgaon, where a major water channel was built almost 15-20 years after large-scale development happened.

INTERNATIONAL

The Morung Express

Tuesday 10 September 2013

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Russia stands by Syria as strikes loom MOSCOW, SepteMber 9 (AFp): Russia on Monday firmly stood by its ally Syria as President Bashar al-Assad’s foreign minister visited Moscow, warning that military strikes against the regime would lead to an “outburst” of terrorism.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, after talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem in Moscow, painted a dark picture of the consequences of US-led military action and insisted the regime was still ready for talks.

In a sign of the closeness of the relationship between Moscow and Damascus, Muallem passed on Assad’s personal thanks to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his support in arguing against military action at the G20 summit in Saint Petersburg. “All the more, politicians share our estimation that a military solution will lead to an outburst of terrorism both in Syria and in neighbouring countries,” Lavrov said after the talks.

Lavrov also warned strikes would create even more refugees and added Russia “cannot not be worried by the fate of Russians living in Syria whose health and life might be put at risk.” “The possibility for a political solution remains,” Lavrov said, emphasising that his Syrian counterpart has assured him at the talks that Damascus was still “ready for peace talks”. The visit by Muallem came as US lawmakers were to return Monday from a summer break and debate limited US military action in Syria.

Russia and the United States agreed in May to organise a peace conference in Geneva bringing all sides to the table but the idea is fast receding as momentum grows for strikes over an alleged August 21 chemical attack outside Damascus.

“We are truly ready to take part in the Geneva conference without preconditions,” said Muallem. “We are also ready for dialogue with all political forces who favour reestablishing peace in our coun-

Assad warns of retaliation

Members of Syrian national parties and syndicates stage a sit in at Youssef al-Azmeh Square during a protest against a possible U.S. military strike against their country in Damascus, on Monday, September 9. U.S. President Barack Obama will meet with Senate Democrats on Tuesday to seek support for U.S. military action against the government of Syria to punish it for alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in the countryside of Damascus on Aug. 21, a charge Syrian President Bashar Assad denied in a recent interview. Assad is seen on the placard at left, with Arabic that reads, “Syria is fine.” (AP Photo)

try,” Muallem added.

But he warned that the position would change if military strikes took place. “Right up to now we are ready (to take part). But I do not know what could happen after an American aggression.

It’s possible the rockets will land and wreck this conference,” he said. Moscow has also made clear it is unconvinced the regime was behind the chemical weapons attack that the United States and its allies say was carried out by the government and demands retribution.

Lavrov reaffirmed his belief that military strikes on Syria could wreck the chances of holding the peace conference. “Most specialists believe that if the strikes happen the chances of holding the conference would be undermined,” he said. Russia’s top diplomat added that UN-Arab League Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi had told him on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Saint Petersburg last week that he shared this view.

Despite insistent Western pressure, Russia has refused to abandon its coop-

eration with the Assad regime throughout the two-and-a-half year conflict that has claimed more than 100,000 lives according to UN figures. It has defiantly continued military cooperation, although Putin said last week Moscow had suspended deliveries of S-300 missile systems under a contract that outraged the West. Russia’s close ties to Damascus date back to the alliance between the Soviet Union and Assad’s late father Hafez.

The Kremlin fears losing arms contracts and influence if the dynasty falls.

WASHINGtON, SepteMber 9 (Ap): Syrian President Bashar Assad has warned there will be “repercussions” against any U.S. military strike launched in response to a chemical weapons attack in his country.

“You should expect everything,” Assad said in an interview with CBS taped in Damascus. “Not necessarily from the government. It’s not only the government ... in this region.

You have different parties, you have different factions, you have different ideology.” Asked if he was making a threat of a direct military response to any such attack, Assad was vague, saying at one point, “I am not fortune teller to tell you what’s going to happen.”

President Barack Obama is seeking authorization from Congress to launch what the administration says would be a limited-scope attack against Syria in response to Assad’s purported use of chemical weapons. Assad has denied it, and he argued in the interview broadcast Monday on CBS that Washington has presented no evidence to back up its allegations.

In London on Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry reasserted Washington’s argument and said the evidence is sufficiently strong to be accepted as evidence in a court of law. In the CBS interview, Assad said his forces were not in the area of the chemical weapons attack Aug. 21, saying “our soldiers in another area were attacked chemically. ... But in the area where they said the government used chemical weapons, we only had video and we only have pictures and allegations.

We’re not there.”

Kerry said Assad’s denial is “contradicted by fact.” Asked if chemical warfare could be one repercussion from an American intervention in Syria, Assad told anchorman Charlie Rose: “That depends if the rebels or the terrorists in this region or any other group have it. It could happen. “ “You are going to pay the price if you are not wise with dealing with terrorists,” he said.

Assad also said the current incident brings to mind memories of the arguments for intervention that President George W. Bush’s administration made over a decade ago in connection with President Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. Assad said Kerry’s statements reminded him about “the big lie” that Secretary of State Colin Powell said to the United Nations about Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction. Assad also said the majority of Americans “don’t want a war anywhere, not only against Syria.” He said Washington’s credibility is “at an all-time low.”

North Korea’s leader silent at military parade US spied on Petrobras, Google

pYONGYANG, SepteMber 9 (Ap): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waved to troops marching through central Pyongyang on Monday to mark the nation’s 65th birthday, but made no public comments before leaving the lavish event.

Flanked by generals and senior government officials, Kim stood in a high viewing area well above and away from the sea of onlookers who cheered and held up colorful placards in unison as the troops filed passed. North Korea watchers had hoped the young leader might address the crowd to shed some light on the isolated and secretive nation’s politics or diplomatic goals.

The military parade in Kim Il Sung Square featured mostly reserve troops and did not include displays of the kind of heavy artillery, tanks and missiles that the North rolled out in July to commemorate the armistice that ended hostilities on the Korean Peninsula in 1953.

Kim made no remarks at the July parade, either. The North has recently shown an increasing willingness to engage in talks with South Korea, including efforts to reopen a joint industrial complex and allow reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, but it has also taken something of a hard-line with the United States.

It canceled at the last minute the visit of a senior U.S. official who had hoped to win the release of an American missionary sen-

In this image taken from video North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, smiles as he waves to spectators and participants of a military parade celebrating the 65th anniversary of the country’s founding, Monday, September 9, 2013, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo)

tenced to 15 years of hard labor in the North’s prison system and has recently through its official media stepped up criticism of the U.S. military presence in South Korea.

The missionary, 45-year-old Kenneth Bae, was recently transferred to a hospital because of poor health. The North claims it withdrew the invitation to the U.S. official because Washington spoiled the atmosphere for talks by deploying nuclear-capable bombers for drills that were recently held

with South Korea.

Soon after denying the official visit, however, Kim played host last week to former NBA star Dennis Rodman. Before arriving in North Korea, Rodman said he had no intention of being a diplomat and was instead going to simply hang out with Kim, whom he has said is a good friend. It was Rodman’s second trip to the North this year.

Kim has a baby daughter Retired NBA star Den-

nis Rodman has revealed the name of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s baby daughter and says he is planning a big announcement following his Pyongyang trip.

Rodman visited North Korea last week, his second trip to the country. Meeting with reporters after returning to China on Saturday, Rodman professed his affection for Kim and made it clear that he has no intention of lobbying for the release of an American detained in the country though he once asked on his Twitter account for his freedom.

On Sunday, Rodman told the British newspaper the Guardian that he and Kim had a “relaxing time by the sea” with the leader’s family and discussed playing a historic friendship basketball game between the U.S. and North Korea.

Rodman said he held Kim’s baby named Ju Ae, spoke with his wife Ri Sol Ju. He also alluded to another visit in December. After his previous trip in February, Rodman said in a media interview that Ri kept talking about her and Kim’s baby daughter. It was a confirmation of media speculation that there was new baby in North Korea’s ruling family after North Korea’s state TV in January broadcast video of Ri in which she appeared slimmer than in previous months where she appeared to be pregnant.

rIO De JANeIrO, SepteMber 9 (Ap): Documents leaked by Edward Snowden indicate the National Security Agency spied on Brazil’s state-run oil company, the private computer networks of Google and a company that facilitates most of the world’s international bank transfers, a Brazilian TV report says.

Globo TV, however, gave no information about what the NSA may have obtained from Petrobras, Google and the Belgium-based Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, an organization better known as SWIFT that oversees international bank transfers thought to be secure transactions.

All three companies are included in an NSA training manual for new ag’ents on how to target the private computer networks of big companies, the report said.

Earlier reports based on Snowden’s documents revealed the existence of the NSA’s PRISM program, which gives the agency comprehensive access to customer data from companies like Google and Facebook.

Separate reports last week in the Guardian, New York Times and ProPublica, also based on Snowden’s leak, said the NSA and its British counterpart had developed “new access opportunities” into Google’s computers by 2012, but the documents didn’t indicate how extensive the project was or what kind of data it could access.

James Klapper, director of U.S. national intelligence, said in a statement that “it is not a secret that the Intelligence Community collects information about economic and financial matters, and terrorist financing.” The NSA collects the information to provide “the United States and our allies early warning of international financial crises which could negatively impact the global economy,” the

statement said. “It also could provide insight into other countries’ economic policy or behavior which could affect global markets.”

It said the intelligence community’s “efforts to understand economic systems and policies and monitor anomalous economic activities is critical to providing policy makers with the information they need to make informed decisions that are in the best interest of our national security.” Klapper added that the NSA has had “success in disrupting terror networks by following their money as it moves around the globe.”

“What we do not do, as we have said many times, is use our foreign intelligence capabilities to steal the trade secrets of foreign companies on behalf of — or give intelligence we collect to — U.S. companies to enhance their international competitiveness or increase their bottom line,” he said.

Offices of the Petrobras oil company and Google’s Brazil offices were closed Sunday and officials could not be reached for comment. An emailed request for comment from SWIFT wasn’t immediately answered.

Glenn Greenwald, a U.S. journalist living Rio de Janeiro who received thousands of documents from Snowden and was the first to break stories about the NSA’s extensive program to collect Internet and phone data, worked with Globo on its report.

It came a week after Greenwald and the network said NSA documents showed that U.S. spy agencies had monitored the president of Brazil as well as Mexico’s new president prior to his election. That report brought demands for an explanation and investigations from the governments of Brazil and Mexico, and left U.S. President Barack Obama scrambling to soothe the anger in two important countries in the Western Hemisphere.

In Jamaica, a twist on wine tours for pot lovers

NINe MILe, SepteMber 9 (Ap): Napa and Sonoma have their wine tours, and travelers flock to Scotland to sample the fine single malt whiskies. But in Jamaica, farmers are offering a different kind of trip for a different type of connoisseur.

Call them ganja tours: smoky, mystical — and technically illegal — journeys to some of the island’s hidden cannabis plantations, where pot tourists can sample such strains as “purple kush” and “pineapple skunk.”

The tours pass through places like Nine Mile, the tiny hometown of reggae legend, and famous pot-lover, Bob Marley. Here, in Jamaica’s verdant central mountains, dreadlocked men escort curious visitors to a farm where deepgreen marijuana plants grow out of the reddish soil. Similar tours are offered just outside the western resort town of Negril, where a marijuana mystique has drawn weed-smoking vacationers for decades.

“This one here is the original sinsemilla, Bob Marley’s favorite. And this one here is the chocolate skunk. It’s special for the ladies,” a pot farm-

er nicknamed “Breezy” told a reporter as he showed off several varieties on his plot one recent morning.

While legalization drives have scored major victories in recent months in places like Colorado and Washington state, and the government of the South American nation of Uruguay is moving toward getting into the pot business itself, the plant is still illegal in Jamaica, where it is known popularly as “ganja.”

Some would like to see that change, with increasingly vocal advocates saying Jamaica could give its struggling economy a boost by taking advantage of the fact the island is nearly as famous for its marijuana as it is for beaches, reggae music and world-beating sprinters. Justice Minister Mark Golding told The Associated Press the government is aware of legalization efforts elsewhere, and called the issue “dynamic and evolving quickly.” “We will be reviewing the matter in light of the recent developments in this hemisphere,” Golding said of decriminalization in an email.

The Ganja Law Reform Co-

alition, an island group that is calling for the government to decriminalize and regulate pot, is preparing to host an international conference in the capital of Kingston later this month, where topics will include prospects for cannabis commercialization. Despite its laid-back international image, Jamaica is a conservative, religious place and many people bristle at the country’s Rasta reputation.

Marijuana has been pervasive but prohibited on the island since 1913. The illicit marijuana crop has declined since the 1970s due to global competition and the U.S.-led war on drugs. Still, Jamaica is the Caribbean’s leading supplier of pot to the U.S. and tourists often don’t need to look any farther than their hotel lobby for assistance buying weed.

“There’s already a high degree of marijuana tourism in Jamaica; they just don’t call it that,” said Chris Simunek, editor-in-chief of the magazine High Times, based in New York. In Nine Mile, Breezy says Americans, Germans and increasingly Russians have toured his small farm and

sampled his crop. There were no takers for the $50 tour on this morning among a couple of busloads of cruise ship tourists arriving at Bob Marley’s childhood home, though more than a dozen lined up enthusiastically to buy baggies of weed from Breezy’s friends, sold through a hole in the wall of the museum compound.

“I can get stronger stuff at home, but there’s something really special about smoking marijuana in Jamaica. I mean, this is the marijuana that inspired Bob Marley,” said a 26-year-old tourist from Minnesota who only identified herself as Angie as she crumbled some pot into rolling paper.

An online vacation guide called Jamaicamax promises to organize ganja tours in the Negril area. But there’s a caveat: First you have to smoke a marijuana “spliff” with your guide, presumably to show you are not law enforcement.

“After you smoke a spliff with us and we get to know you then we will take you on the best ganja tours in Jamaica and you’ll smoke (and eat if you want) so much ganja you’ll

be talking to Bob Marley himself,” the travel website says.

More than a decade after a government commission said marijuana was “culturally entrenched” and recommended decriminalizing personal use by adults, influential politicians and businessmen are pushing for Jamaica to cast off old fears of angering Washington and loosen up laws.

Henry Lowe, a prominent Jamaican scientist who helped develop a cannabisderived medication to treat glaucoma in the 1980s, said the island could quickly become a hub of marijuana tourism and research. “People could come down to Jamaica for medical marijuana treatment and health tourism because this has been our tradition, our culture.”

For Breezy and his friends, any reforms couldn’t come soon enough. “The government needs to free up marijuana soon, man, because it’s a natural thing, a spiritual thing,” Breezy said before sticking his nose in a clump of pot plants and taking an appreciative sniff. “And the tourists love it.”

In this Aug. 29, 2013 photo, farmer nicknamed Breezy shows his illegal patch of budding marijuana plants during a tour of his land in Jamaica’s central mountain town of Nine Mile. Breezy says Americans, Germans and increasingly Russian tourists have toured his small farm and sampled his crop. (AP Photo)

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Tokyo 2020 an endorsement of Asian dynamism BUENOS AIRES, SEptEmBER 9 (REUtERS): The decision to award Tokyo the 2020 Olympic Games was a triumph of business sense as much as common sense, and a unequivocal endorsement of Asia's dynamic economies and its place in the future of the sporting world.

The custodians of the world's greatest multisports extravaganza could have selected a well-prepared Madrid option, or go to Istanbul which had pitched itself as a new region for the Games, and a vehicle for fostering peace in the Middle East. Instead the International Olympic Committee plumped for the Japanese capital.

Tokyo was not only what IOC president Jacques Rogge described as a "safe pair of hands", but also a chance to unlock billions of dollars in the world's most populous region. Olympic presidential candidate Thomas Bach said it had been a choice between a traditional stronghold and new shores. "This time the IOC members -- in a fragile world -- have decided in favour of tradition and stabil-

ity," he said.

But the appeal of Tokyo, which had to overcome concerns over the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant leaks just 230 km (140 miles) away, went far beyond safety and tradition.

The country's financial might and its position in the world's most dynamic continent also proved irresistible. "We know they can deliver and have the financial strength to deliver. They can be trusted," Australian IOC member Kevan Gosper said. Ultimately Tokyo were rewarded for a strategy which saw them highlight their solid finances and a strong track record of delivering on promises. The Japanese capital flashed a $4.5 billion war-chest in front of the IOC a year before the vote, assuring them money for the Games was already in the bank.

This was music to the ears of an IOC membership acutely sensitive to the impact the global economic downturn of recent years has had on sports, especially at a grass-roots level. The IOC is also acutely aware of the preparation obstacles

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facing next Games host Rio, and wanted to take no risk at all with their 2020 choice.

Rio Problems "With their modern infrastructure and their ability to host and organise world-class sporting events, we are convinced the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a great success," said Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, head of the Olympic Council of Asia.

"This commitment (to delivering on their promises) was important. The problems with Rio played a role in this decision," he told Reuters. In addition, the Tokyo bid team enticed the IOC in the days leading up to the vote with Asia's massive marketing potential.

"Asia is the only continent in the world with more people living within its territory than outside," said Fujio Cho, President of the Japan Sports Association and honorary chairman of Toyota Motor Corp. "Consequently it is the largest market in the world, with billions of passionate sports fans," he added. The message was not misread. "All three bids were strong bids," IOC Executive

Citizens form "Thank you" to celebrate at the Tokyo Municipal Government office square in Tokyo Sunday, Sept. 8 after the International Olympic Committee chose the city to host the 2020 Olympics. A half-century after the 1964 Tokyo games heralded Japan's reemergence from destruction and defeat in World War II, the city's triumphant bid to host the 2020 summer games is giving this aging nation a chance to revive both its sagging spirits and its stagnating economy. The Japanese banners at bottom held by others read: "Thank you." (AP Photo)

Board member John Coates told Reuters, saying that Tokyo's had been a good one for athletes. "It was also good for the Olympic movement because much of our commercial support is in Asia," he said.

in preparations for the Rio Games may have alarmed members and could have swung votes in favour of Tokyo's solid bid, Coates said: "I may have heard that." Tokyo's bid has estimated a non-Games budget of around $4.4 billion comShifting Power-Base pared to $3.4 billion for the Asked whether delays actual event. Returning to

Asia for the 2020 Games also reaffirms the shifting powerbase of global sport.

After decades where sport's biggest events were mostly split between Europe and North America, international organisations are increasingly recognising the benefits of turning to Asia.

The continent will now host

about the championship now there's a very big gap," Alonso told reporters. "We don't have enough races and probably we don't have the speed right now to win some consecutive races and hope to reduce the gap just by pace.

"We need to be lucky and we need to have some DNFs (retirements) from Sebastian or something to win the championship.

With the races left and the points disadvantage, it's hard but in a way, it was exactly the same last year."

Last year, Alonso had built up a commanding

and score as many points as possible and then in Brazil we will see how many points we have compared to him," he said.

The Spaniard has won only twice this season, with his last victory in Spain in May. Vettel has now been triumphant in half of the races.

Despite that, Alonso was not downcast. "It's true that we didn't win the race because Red Bull and Sebastian did an even better job and they were very very good. But in our level of competitiveness that we had this year, Monza is one of the best weekends," said Alonso.

Fernando Alonso hopes luck will lend a hand mONZA, SEptEmBER 9 (REUtERS): Fernando Alonso hoped luck would come to the rescue after Ferrari lost out again to Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel in the Italian team's home grand prix. The Spaniard remained second overall after finishing runner-up at Monza but is now 53 points adrift of triple champion Vettel with seven races remaining worth a maximum 175.

At the current rate, Vettel stands to wrap up his fourth successive crown well before the final race of the year in Brazil. "I think we need to be realistic

lead only for Vettel to reel him in and eventually win the championship by three points. The problem for Alonso is that most of the remaining circuits have been good for Red Bull in the past, with Vettel reeling off four straight wins in Singapore, Japan, South Korea and India last year.

Despite that, Alonso said he had managed to get the maximum from his car and refused to give up until the situation became mathematically hopeless.

"There's still a long way to go; we will try until the last race to be as good as we can

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, of Spain, celebrates on the podium after taking the second place during the Italian Grand Prix, at the Monza Formula One circuit, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo)

World Cup not for European convenience: Blatter

LONdON, SEptEmBER 9 (AFp): FIFA president Sepp Blatter defended his support of switching the 2022 World Cup to winter in Qatar, saying in an interview published on Monday that rescheduling reflected the sport's worldwide appeal. Blatter told Inside World Football that members of the federation who have complained about the proposed change in dates should have been well aware of the possibility, as it was contained in the bidding process documents.

"The loudest critics, the ones who should know better because they signed the exact same bidding documents as Qatar did... must know that point 1.2.1 stipulates that the 22nd edition of

NWA to conduct free wrestling coaching camp

the FIFA World Cup is 'scheduled to take place' in June and/or July 'in principle'," he was quoted as saying on insideworldfootball.com. "It does not say that it 'must' take place in these months, nor is it a 'condition sine qua non' to host the World Cup in June and July. What the document does is express FIFA's wish to host the World Cup in June or July."

European countries, in particular England, have cried foul at the possibility of holding the world's most-watched sporting event in January and February because Qatar initially bid to host the tournament in the June-July close seaTemperatures in Qatar Fahrenheit) but cool to the son in Europe and changing the dates would disrupt can reach a blistering 50 de- mid-20s in December. Blatgrees Celsius (122 degrees ter accepted that, despite their domestic leagues.

KOhImA, SEptEmBER 9 (mExN): The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) will be conducting a free wrestling coaching camp at 4th NAP Complex Thizama for interested wrestlers from the state of Nagaland from September 13 for participation in the National Senior Championship which is to be held at Kolkata from November 14 to 17 this year. All officials of NWA, president of constituent units, wrestlers and coaches have been requested to reach the venue

by September 9. For further queries interested parties may contact; 9436405002/ 9436422737.

knowing that technology was available to cool venues, playing in Qatar's summer was "simply not a responsible thing to do".

But he said there needed to be flexibility to ensure that as many countries as possible have the chance to host the tournament, rather than it being organised to suit European nations.

"If we maintain, rigidly, the status quo, then a FIFA World Cup can never be played in countries that are south of the equator or indeed near the equator," he added. "We automatically discriminate against countries that have different seasons than we do in Europe and we make it impossible for all those who would love to host the world's biggest

game in a global tournament to ever get the chance to do so."

He went on: "I think it is high time that Europe starts to understand that we do not rule the world anymore and that some former European imperial powers can no longer impress their will on to others in far away places and we must accept that football has moved away from being a European and South American sport. "It has become the world sport that billions of fans are excitedly following every week, everywhere in the world." Blatter said he would raise the issue at FIFA's next executive committee meeting on October 3-4 before consulting more widely on the impact of rescheduling on the international calendar.

the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, the 2019 World Swimming Championships in South Korea and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Singapore, one of a handful of Asian countries on the Formula One motor racing calendar, has also been selected as the

host for the end-of-season Women's Tennis Association championships for the next five years. "Asia can now look forward to an exciting few years in the Olympic spotlight," Sheikh Ahmad said. "Once again this highlights the influence of the continent as a partner in the Olympic Movement."

No player worth 100 million euros: Zidane

pARIS, SEptEmBER 9 (REUtERS): It was "incomprehensible" that Real Madrid paid Tottenham Hotspur 100 million euros to sign forward Gareth Bale as no player is worth that amount of money, former France striker Zinedine Zidane said on Sunday. Bale, 24, joined the Spanish club on September 1 in a world record transfer after months of speculation. Zidane, who is now Carlo Ancelotti's assistant coach at Real, joined the ninetime European champions in 2001 for a then record fee.

He felt at the time that fee was over the top and cannot comprehend the money involved in Bale's move. "Ten years ago I was bought for 75 million euros and I said I was not worth this," Zidane told French TV channel Canal Plus. "Now I would think that a player is not worth this. It's football, unfortunately it's incomprehensible with what is happening to pay so much."

Leave my son alone: Tendulkar

mUmBAI, SEptEmBER 9 (tNN): It took Sachin Tendulkar 27 long years to attend his second Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM) awards for sportspersons, but when he finally did, he stole the show! And he chose the occasion to play a quintessential master stroke. On Sunday, his son, Arjun, made his professional debut, in the Kanga League and was dismissed for just 1. The news spread like wildfire and soon TV channels began flashing it repeatedly. Realising immediately what a detrimental effect it would have on his 14-year-old son, Tendulkar made an emotional plea.

"My son has played his first official match today. He is passionate and madly in love with cricket. I would appreciate if everyone allows him to be himself and to have his own identity and just enjoy his cricket," Tendulkar said. "Since the entire sports journalists' fraternity is sitting here, I'm going to be a protective father. When I started playing cricket, though my father was a professor and was into literature, at no stage I was under pressure to follow in my father's footsteps. There were no comparisons. He (Arjun) has just started his career, so it is a humble request if he can live his life like a normal 14-year-old, without thinking about anything else except falling in love with this sport," Tendulkar said.

The maestro, who was felicitated on the occasion, for having scoring hundred centuries in international cricket, wasn't critical of the media though and thanked the press for heaping praise on him throughout his career. "You (the media) have been really supportive. I have been criticised too, but that is part and parcel of the game. When I look at the overall package, I can't complain," Tendulkar said, while recalling the first time that he attended an SJAM function (1986). "I can't forget the rickshaw ride to Catholic Gymkhana. We had big kit bags with us. It was a memorable evening, especially as Sunil Gavaskar was present," he reminisced.

Wrestling claims back Olympic Games spot

BUENOS AIRES, SEptEmBER 9 (REUtERS): Wrestling completed an unprecedented comeback on Sunday, reclaiming its spot in the 2020 Olympic Games after beating bids from rivals squash and baseball/softball in an International Olympic Committee vote. An iconic Olympic sport, wrestling featured in the ancient Olympics as well as every modern Games apart from 1900. Yet it surprisingly lost its Olympic spot in February as the IOC looked to refresh its programme.

It is the first sport to earn back its Olympic place immediately, with all other returning events taking years or decades to make a comeback. "Normally this is done in a few years, we did it in a few months. It was a question of our survival," a delighted

international wrestling federation (FILA) president Nenad Lalovic told reporters. As the latest Games entrant, wrestling is the only sport to be guaranteed a spot until the 2024 Olympics, with the 27 others up for review in 2017. "We did all we could, we changed our sport and the federation was successful. We continue to work tomorrow."

Lalovic had said in his presentation to the IOC prior to the vote that "today is the most important day in the 3000-year history of our sport". The burly Serb had taken over in February after their Olympic exit and had been credited with bringing the sport back into contention after it made a shortlist of candidate sports in May. "With this vote, you (the IOC) have shown that the steps we have taken to improve our sport have made a difference," he

said adding more changes were in store for the sport, including the entry of athletes and positions of officials. "I assure each of you that our modernisation will not stop now. We will continue to strive to be the best partner to the Olympic Movement that we can be," he said.

Sensational Comeback Sunday's result marks a sensational turnaround for the sport which overhauled its rules, administration, gender equality policy and operations following its shock exclusion.

The IOC had said at the time, wrestling had failed to modernise, becoming complacent over decades amid waning interest.

"It was clear the IOC Executive Board made a mistake by getting rid of it," IOC member

Richard Pound told Reuters Television. "Today we corrected that mistake." Pound said he hoped the two other sports that failed to make the cut could somehow still feature at Tokyo 2020, after the Japanese capital was chosen on Saturday as the host city.

"The two are terrific international sports. My guess is in a host city like Tokyo, they (IOC) could take both," said the Canadian member. The IOC will elect a new president on Tuesday to succeed Jacques Rogge, who is stepping down after 12 years.

All six presidential candidates have said the Games should not necessarily have a cap of 28 sports and more could be added by reducing disciplines.

The IOC have emerged from this process with a black eye after setting out to refresh the programme only to bring back

a sport that was already in the Games. "We are now back where we started," said Pound.

Wrestling, which had received glowing support from IOC members, who were stunned by the Executive Board's decision, won an outright majority of votes in the first round. "Now we must remain united to make certain we live up to the expectations that have been placed on all of us by virtue of this vote," Lalovic said.

The sport got 49 of 95 votes, with baseball/softball earning 24 and squash landing 22 votes from the IOC members. The result was crushing news for both of the other sports that have been trying to win a spot in the Games for as much as a decade.

Olympic sports until the 2008 Beijing Games, hoped for a return to the Olympic fold.

"In my country Cuba, it is the top sport and the cement of a social tradition," baseball/ softball delegation member Antonio Castro, son of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, had earlier told the IOC in a presentation. Squash, the only one of the three never to have featured in the Olympics, was making its third consecutive bid after failures in 2005 and 2009.

"It is disappointing but what we've done over the last few years, with the campaign... has brought the whole squash community together in a huge way," said world number one Nicol David, who was part of Bitter Defeat the campaign to get the sport Baseball and softball, into the Olympics.

Entertainment

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Superman fan has 19 surgeries over 16 years to look like his favourite comic book hero

W

hen Clark Kent wanted to transform into Superman, it was a fairly simple task. He would step into a phone box, spin around and the switch would be complete. But Herbert Chavez's change into the comic book hero has taken a bit longer - through 16 years of plastic surgery.

The 35-year-old, from Calamba City, Philippines, has had nose jobs, skin whitening, lip liposuction, jaw realignment, pec implants and even abdominal implants to become a real-life Clarke Kent after falling in love with the TV programme aged five.

Mr Chavez regularly takes to the streets around his home dressed in full Superman regalia, with his hair gelled in distinctive curly fashion. He aims to teach kids good morals while also brightening their days. He said: 'I feel like a Superhero whenever I pull on the costume, but my mission is not to save the world but to help in my own small way and bring a smile to the faces of local children. 'I don't have any regrets at all.

People come up to me in

the street all the time and want their picture taken with me.

'They are all really excited to see a real-life Superman in the Philippines.'

But his distinctive look has not come easily, with Herbert going under the knife repeatedly to copy every last feature of the super hero he worships - right down to his chiselled chin. And Mr Chavez admits it is tasking trying to keep up with such a 'perfect' person. He added: 'If you talk about super heroes, the expectation of people is that they are flawless, they do not get hurt, they do not die. 'But as human beings, we can only copy their looks. Especially as a Filipino, I have very Asian features and did not look like the caucasian Superman. 'So when I was able to save enough money to alter my features, I chose to copy those of Superman. 'It is hard living up to people's expectations as a living superhero. That is the reason I have had so many surgeries because I undergo maintenance procedures that need performing.

In June 2013 Guinness recognised Mr Chavez for having the largest collection of Superman memorabilia with 1,253 items - ranging from life-size dolls, to posters and rings worth thousands of pounds. But he says his collection is actually closer to 5,000 items and plans to increase it to around 10,000 pieces - and has even moved home in order to accommodate the influx of comic book clutter.

Now famous across his native country thanks to numerous TV appearances, Mr Chavez's friends and family are supportive of his unusual hobby. Him mum Linda said: 'I re-

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member when he was a kid, he was already fond of Superman figures. He would be very happy when I bought him shirts with Superman pictures on them. 'At school they held drawing competitions, and he would always draw Superman pictures. 'As parents we are happy because though he is small, he has become the Filipino Superman. He has become well known in our community - he has become people's idol.'

Astronaut Blown Away

By Sandra Bullock's Gravity

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andra Bullock's new space movie Gravity has been given the seal of approval from a real-life astronaut. The actress plays a medical engineer on a space shuttle mission with a veteran astronaut, played

by George Clooney, in filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron's new sci-fi movie.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada on Sunday and was given a thumbs up from Canadian spaceman Chris Hadfield, who was in the audience at the screening.

Hadfield said, fortunately, the five months I spent on the space station were way calmer. But the visuals were spectacularly good. I don't know how you did it. And if I ever fly in space again, I want to fly with Sandra. Hadfield spent five months aboard the International Space Station before touching back down to Earth in May (13).

Celebrated concert artiste Nise Meruno with French Soprano Aude Priya Engel after a concert at the Prestigious Tata Theatre, NCPA Mumbai. Eminent artists from Europe and India took part in the concert on Sunday evening.

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Serena Williams reacts after defeating Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles final of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 8 in New York. (AP Photo)

Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, left, poses with Serena Williams after losing to her during the women's singles final of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 8 in New York. (AP Photo)

Serena winS fifth title, 17th Slam Sarah Jessica Parker is seen during the women's singles final of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept.

8, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo)

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NEW YORK, SEptEmbER 9 (Ap): Serena Williams' serve was shaky. Her hardhitting opponent, Victoria Azarenka, was presenting problems, and so was the gusting wind. A couple of foot-fault calls added to the angst.

As a jittery Williams headed to the sideline after dropping a set for the first time in the tournament, she threw her racket, which ricocheted onto the court.

When play resumed in the third set, Williams put aside everything and did what she does best: She came through to win a major match. Facing her only test of the past two weeks, the No. 1-seeded Williams overcame No. 2 Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1 on Sunday for her 17th Grand Slam championship. "When you're always trying to write history, or join history in my case, maybe you just get a little more nervous than you should. I also think it's kind of cool, because it means that it means a lot to you.

It means a lot to me, this trophy," Williams said, pointing her right hand at her fifth silver cup from the U.S. Open, "and every single trophy that I have."

Williams has won twice in a row at Flushing Meadows — beating Azarenka in three sets each time — and four of the past six major tournaments overall. Her 17 titles are the sixth-most in history for a woman, only one behind Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, and the same total as the men's record-holder, held by Roger Federer. "It feels really good to be in that same league as him," said Williams, who earned $3.6 million in prize money. This one did not come easily, even though it appeared to be nearly over when Williams went ahead by two breaks at 4-1 in the second set. She served for the match at 5-4 and 6-5 — only to have the gutsy Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open winner, break each time. Williams is 67-4 with a career-high nine titles in 2013, but two of those losses came against Azarenka. A year ago, they played the first threeset women's final in New York since 1995.

This time, they went the distance again, a total of 2 hours, 45 minutes, because Azarenka was superior in the tiebreaker. "I got a little uptight, which probably wasn't the best thing at that moment," Williams

said. "I wasn't playing very smart tennis then, so I just had to relax and not do that again."

So after the second set, Williams gave herself a pep talk, regrouped and regained control. "In the third set, Serena really found a way to calm down and restart from zero and quickly erase what happened," said her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.

Azarenka helped a bit, with two of her seven double-faults coming when she got broken to trail 3-1 in the third. That pretty much sealed it, because Williams was not about to falter again.

"She's a champion, and she knows how to repeat that. She knows what it takes to get there. I know that feeling, too. And when two people who want that feeling so bad meet, it's like a clash," Azarenka said, pounding her fists together. At the outset, though wind that swirled in Arthur Ashe Stadium bothered Williams as much as Azarenka did. "It wasn't pleasant," Azarenka said.

Williams caught service tosses. She grabbed at her skirt to keep it from flying up. Most troubling, she was thrown off by balls that danced oddly. Six of the first 16 points ended with unforced errors by Williams, which allowed Azarenka to go ahead 2-1. Looking hesitant at times, Williams did not show the same dominance she had while dropping only 16 games during six victories through the semifinals. "The wind was unbelievable today," Williams said. "It just got worse and worse. It just never let up." Her serve, as usual, made a big difference: Williams hit nine aces, one at 126 mph (203 kph).

Still, four times, Azarenka was only two points from taking the opening set.

At one such moment, with Williams serving at deuce after a double-fault, she was called for a foot fault, erasing what would have been an ace. There was another foot-fault call in the second set, too. They brought back memories of the American's loss to Kim Clijsters in the 2009 semifinals, when Williams was docked a point, and later fined, for a tirade against a line judge over a foot-fault call. There was no such outburst directed at officials this time, although there was that racket toss.

Paes and Stepanek claim US Open doubles title NEW YORK, SEptEmbER 9 (REutERS): Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek were convincing winners over Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares in the men's doubles final at the U.S. Open on Sunday. The veteran IndiaCzech pairing of Paes and Stepanek dominated the championship match to record a 6-1 6-3 victory over their Austria-Brazil rivals in one hour and 12 minutes in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Paes, 40, won his third U.S. Open doubles title and the eighth major title of his career. It was Stepanek's second major doubles title after winning the 2012 Australian Open with Paes. Peya and Soares had only two break points for the match and failed to convert either in their first final of a major championship. Stepanek, 34, said he wanted their partnership to win the ATP World Tour Finals this year because it was the biggest trophy missing from Paes' collection.

"There is one thing we would like to achieve, and that's winning the world championships at the end of

Radek Stepanek, of the Czech Republic, left, and Leander Paes, of India, hold the championship trophy after defeating Alexander Peya, of Austria, and Bruno Soares, of Brazil, in the men's doubles final of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 8 in New York. (AP Photo)

the year, because that's the trophy which is missing in Leander's showcase," Stepanek said. "That's what I'm very focused on. That's what I would like to deliver to his showcase. Today with this win, we qualified for the Masters (Tour Finals). "That's the first step. I'm very happy that the trophy is now in front of us and we are both enjoying it."

Paes rated the victory above the 2012 Australian Open title that earned him the ca-

reer grand slam. "This one is actually really, really special," he said. "For me, this one is probably even more special than the Australian Open win. "In Australia I was going for a career slam, and that was something that Radek worked so hard to do. We achieved it. He did it for me. "I have always said that tennis is such a blessed profession for us that you build friendships, you build camaraderie, you build a brotherhood."

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