11h January 2014

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 9

www.morungexpress.com

Saturday, January 11, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

All are agreed, that the increase of learning and good morals are great blessings to society Dawood in Pak, joint efforts with US to nab him: Shinde

She means business!

First round of Polio Immunization on Jan 19 [ PAGE 2]

US scrambles to avert civil war in South Sudan

[ PAGE 11]

[ PAGE 9]

[ PAGE 8]

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–Joseph Lancaster

Pironkova beats Kerber for Sydney title [ PAGE 10]

Undiplomatic coUnter Blow

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Khobragade indicted by US grand jury, on way back; India asks US to withdraw diplomat from New Delhi

The statement further expressed discontent at an alleged unwarranted police action resulting in the “arrest” of the Rengma Naga Peoples’ Council (RNPC) General Secretary, K. Solomon Rengma on the night of January 9. The statement alleged that Dimapur police raided the residence of the RNPC general secretary and arrested him based on hearsay that Solomon was harbouring NRHPF cadres. “It defies logic that 30-40 police personnel went to

arrest a civilian and a public leader” and “the police instead of finding militants armed to the teeth were embarrassed to find several Rengma Naga refugee families of Assam being sheltered by Solomon and family,” it stated. Questioning the police action, the Hoho posed, “Is the police action guided by political agenda? How does the state government justify this action?” and appealed “to all right thinking citizens to condemn this attitude of the police.”

nEW DELhI/nEW york, January 10 (rEutErs): India ordered the United States on Friday to withdraw one of its diplomats from New Delhi, as the Indian consul at the centre of the row between the two countries flew home after she was indicted in New York for visa fraud. Devyani Khobragade, 39, who India’s deputy consul-general in New York, was arrested on December 12 and indicted on Thursday before being effectively expelled from the country. Her arrest set off a furore in India amid disclosures that she was handcuffed and strip-searched. “We called the U.S. mission to withdraw an officer of similar rank of Devyani as reciprocal action,” a government official with knowledge of the decision told reporters. Tit-for-tat withdrawals of embassy staff are common when countries become locked in diplomatic disputes. The U.S. embassy in Delhi and the Indian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In New York, a federal grand jury indicted Khobragade for visa fraud and lying about her nanny’s pay, but allowed to leave after

kohIMa, January 10 (DIPr): The Nagaland state government has directed the Deputy Commissioners of all districts in the state to ensure security of the Karbi community. The Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner for Nagaland, Banuo Z Jamir in an order informed that the law and order situation prevailing in the Karbi Anglong, Assam and the recovery of

nine dead bodies under Dimapur district, which have since been identified to belong to members of the Karbi tribe of Assam, have resulted in a lot of tension and apprehension in the minds of the public at large. In order to prevent the further escalation of the situation, an urgent need was felt to create an environment promoting a sense of security for all

concerned and thereby reducing the tension, particularly amongst members of the Karbi community, residing in Nagaland. The order directed all Deputy Commissioners to immediately take necessary action to ensure the security of persons belonging to the Karbi community, residing within their respective district. The administration has also been informed to take

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Night curfew reinforced in Assam - Nagaland border Mokokchung, January 10 (DIPr): The Additional District Magistrate for Sivasagar Assam, Sub-Divisional Officer (C), Rajesh Soundararajan has informed that night curfew has been reinforced from dusk to dawn in the 5 Km belt of Assam side, bordering Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. This has been done to detect movement of antisocial elements as there is sufficient ground for taking precautionary measures for prevention of untoward incidents. The order will be enforced for a period of 60 days with immediate effect. Civil officials deployed on duty are exempted from the purview of the prohibitory order.

Imchen questions public attitude towards politicians

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Longsa, January 10 (MExn): Minister for Health & Welfare, Imkong L Imchen today said that politicians, especially Ministers are continually berated by a section of Naga society. Speaking as the chief guest at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (OKM) at Longsa, the Minister minced no words as he stated that the general Naga public mentality is against the politicians, especially the ministers. Stating that society is questioning the integrity of politicians and ministers, Imchen termed it as “very, very unfortunate” that the Naga public is treating the politicians and ministers as “condemned” objects and “outcasts.” Imchen while asserting that leaders are chosen by God said that the politicians are also trying in their own ways to be honest and to serve the people in their best way. He asserted that the elected members represent the people, their actions reflect public interest and that they serve the public. The Minister while citing the NPCC’s relentless demand for his resignation stated that the Congress party has yet to “convince” him to resign from the government. OKM celebrates golden Jubilee on page 2

A train passes along the coast at Saltcoats in Scotland, Friday, January 10 2014, as Britain is braced for the worst as a combination of high tides, heavy rains and strong winds are expected to bring yet more severe flooding to many parts of the country. The storm follows severe weather in early December and over Christmas. (AP Photo)

rengma Hoho calls for peace

DIMaPur, January 10 (MExn): The Rengma Hoho has called for peace between Rengma and Karbi peoples, while expressing its desire for calm between the two communities. “... The Rengma Hoho as a responsible body is desirous that, henceforth, peace should prevail between Rengma Nagas and Karbis in Assam and elsewhere,” read a statement from its president, Sawathang KezSeb. The apex Rengma organisation in Nagaland

held an emergency meeting at Hotel Japfu, Kohima on January 10, wherein it resolved to work towards a return to peaceful coexistence. Reiterating that the role of Karbi civil society is crucial for peace to return, it stated, “... The Hoho would like to appeal to Karbi civil society including Karbi Anglong Peace Forum (KAPF) and other frontal organisations to rein in KPLT militants so that Rengma villagers can live in peace and security in their own lands.”

she was granted a higher level of diplomatic immunity. She faces arrest if she returns to the United States. The month-long row has soured the broader U.S.-India bilateral relationship, leading to sanctions against American diplomats in New Delhi and the postponement of visits to India by senior U.S. officials and another by a U.S. business delegation. Incensed by the treatment of Khobragade, India removed some security barriers from near the U.S. embassy and reduced the number of envoys with immunity. On Wednesday, it ordered the U.S. Embassy to close a club for expatriate Americans there. While both New Delhi and Washington stressed the importance of their bilateral relationship during the crisis, it has taken weeks of complex wrangling to find a workable solution both sides could live with. It will likely take time to dispel the bad feeling that has built up between New Delhi and Washington. With national elections due in India by May, political parties have seized on the case and labelled it an attack on national sovereignty. “We’ll focus on one day at a time, today is the day we focus on getting Devy-

ani back,” said India’s foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin. Akbaruddin said Khobragade left after being granted full diplomatic immunity and was being transferred to a post in New Delhi. Her father said she was expected to arrive in the capital late in the evening. Khobragade risks arrest if she return to the United States. Her husband and children, who are U.S. citizens, are expected to follow her to India shortly, her father said. “Upon her departure a warrant may be issued for her arrest and should she seek to enter the United States she could be arrested,” a U.S. diplomatic note said. There was no immediate comment from the Indian Embassy in Washington or its mission to the United Nations. The foreign ministry in New Delhi said in a statement: “At the time of her departure for India, Counsellor Khobragade reiterated her innocence on charges filed against her. “She also affirmed her determination to ensure that the episode would not leave a lasting impact on her family, in particular, her children, who are still in the United States.” Related story on page 8

stock of the situation and take necessary measures in co-ordination with the Police and the public towards this end. Informing that a large number of Karbis are occupied in daily wage and other petty works in different parts of the State, the District Administration has further been advised to establish communication with members of the Karbi community and in-

volve the respective tribal hohos, civil societies and NGOs. This is to be done to create maintain normalcy and in providing a sense of security to members of the said community. The Deputy Commissioners may also identify the respective employers of the Karbis working in the district and sensitize them to the requirement for providing security to their employees, the order stated.

Scientist finds way to DCs directed to ensure security of Karbi Community treat deadly malaria nEW york, January 10 (Ians): A common but dangerous strain of malaria that hides in the liver, re-emerging years later to trigger new infections and is harder to prevent, diagnose and treat, can soon be treated. According to Niraj Tolia, assistant professor of molecular microbiology and biochemistry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, they have found how a form of malaria - common in India, southeast asia and south America - attacks red blood cells by clamping down on the cells with a pair of proteins. “More people live at risk of infection by this strain of malaria - called plasmodium vivax - than any other. We are now using what we have learned to create vaccines tailored to stop the infectious process by preventing the parasite from attaching to red blood cells,” Tolia added. The study, appeared in the journal PLOS Pathogens, provides details that would help scientists design better vaccines and drug treatments for this strain. Earlier studies had suggested that one P. vivax protein binds to one protein on the surface of red blood cells. Tolia’s research reveals that the binding is a twostep process that involves two copies of a parasite protein coming together

like tongs around two copies of a host protein. “It’s a very intricate and chemically strong interaction that was not easily understood before,” Tolia said. “We have had hints that other forms of malaria, including the African strain, may be binding in a similar fashion to host cells, but this is one of the first definitive proofs of this kind of attack,” he added. Tolia suggested that blocking any of the proteins with drugs or vaccines will stop the infectious process. “For example, some people have a mutation that eliminates the protein on red blood cell surfaces that P. vivax binds to, and they tend to be resistant to the parasite,” he added. The parasite protein is very large, and human antibodies bind to it at many different points along its length. The researchers observed that the ones that are most effective so far are the antibodies that bind to the protein at the region highlighted by the new findings,” the study said. According to the world health organisation (WHO), there were more than 200 million malaria cases in 2012. India records between 30,014 and 48,660 malaria deaths per year. The deadliest form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, is most prevalent in Africa. But P. vivax can’t be ignored especially in India.

PHED tests innovative solution to water scarcity Our Correspondent Kohima | January 10

In what is seen as a path breaking and revolutionary technology for solving drinking water supply problems in rural areas, the state’s PHE department has successfully implemented a new technology using solar energy developed by the Mumbai based Company, Additya Corporation. The Solar Powered Water Treatment Unit using advanced membrane filtration system is currently being implemented in three villages of Kohima district; Meriema, Tsiesema and Kijumetouma. The system is being implemented under the National Rural Drinking Water Program, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India. The system, powered by solar energy, is capable of filtering 1200 litres per hour and can pump water to a height of 200 metres (approx. 650 feet). It is fully automatic in its operation,

Er Kevisekho Kruse , CE PHED along with SE (M&I) , field Officers and the Managing Partner, the Additya corporation, Mumbai seen at SPWTU site.

with no necessity of human intervention for day to day operation of the system. The system, with ultra filtration, gives out treated water that is of high quality standard for drinking purpose. The water is free from all objectionable physical, chemical and biological contamination. Since the need of hu-

man intervention is totally done away with in this new technology, it is seen as a very appropriate system for rural people who are generally not capable of sustaining any system that require regular and intensive supervision. The Chief Engineer for PHED, Er Kevisekho Kruse along with SE (M&I) Er

Repang Longkumer , concerned EE, SDO and other staff members visited the project sites and interacted with the beneficiaries at the main reservoir site of Meriema on January 10. The Chief Engineer pointed out that, in view of the severe water shortage problems being faced by the village, the now avail-

able high quality water should be used very judiciously and for drinking purpose only rather than for other non essential uses like vehicle washing etc. It is expected that the projects will be completed in all respects in a few weeks time and that many people from these three villages will be relieved to a significant level during the onset of the dry winter season. The Chief Engineer also pointed out that once the pilot projects are fully completed successfully, the same would be implemented in large scale in all other districts facing acute water shortage problems with no available gravity water supply source. The Additya Solar powered water treatment unit, with advanced filtration system being tested successful for the first time in India, promises to become a strong water solution technology for many parts of the country, especially the hilly and mountainous regions of the country .

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