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www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 191
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www.morungexpress.com
Sunday, July 14, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4
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Newborn twins found dead DimaPuR, July 13 (mExN): Newborn male twins were found dead and abandoned in Dimapur on Saturday. The bodies of the lifeless babies were found near the Chathe river bridge, Naga United village, 4th Mile at around 7:30 am, police said. Police suspect that the babies were left for dead soon after delivery. The nose of one of the infants was found clotted with blood while the other bore signs of blood-clotting around the mouth. Discoloration was reported on the face of one the twins, while part of the chest and belly was blistered. Infanticide was also not ruled out as post-mortem reports indicated that the babies were alive at birth.
Quattrocchi dies
NEW DElhi, July 14 (agENciEs): Controversial Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi died of a stroke on Saturday, perhaps taking with him crucial secrets of the Bofors howitzer scam that led to Rajiv Gandhi dramatically losing power in 1989 amid corruption allegations. The man who became infamous as “Q” managed to evade the law till the end with the CBI finally withdrawing charges against him in 2011. Earlier, his bank accounts in London were defreezed in 2006 after the Congress returned to power. The death of the 74-year-old Italian will almost certainly bring the curtain down over a scandal that shook politics in the late 80s and catapulted rebel Congress leader V P Singh as the PM on the back of an Opposition alliance that included both the BJP and the Left parties.
Kids For Fame Season 4 elimination round held [ PAGE 11]
‘Alternative required for replacing jhum cultivation’ [ PAGE 02]
White House criticizes Russia for Snowden meeting [ PAGE 09]
Chizokho Vero
[ PAGE 12]
DC Kohima cautions public
Phesama | July 13
A heavy landslide triggered by incessant rains for the past couple of weeks has snapped the National Highway-29 along Phesama village, near the venue of the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland -The Naga Heritage Village Kisama, about 12 kilometers away from Kohima. A stretch of about 200 feet of the highway has been swept down to a distance of 500 to 600 feet into the valley. It has been reported that the road had been in precarious condition since the construction of the exit road to Kisama. Now, huge cracks on the hill above the road have caused a wide chasm. The landslide has completely cut off the movement of vehicles, secluding the Southern Angami areas and neighboring state of Manipur from the rest of Nagaland. National Highway 29, the lifeline of Manipur state was badly damaged along a 200m stretch last night. This resulted in hundreds of trucks from both side of Manipur and Nagaland carrying essential items to Manipur state left stranded since last night on the highway. Commuters on both sides are also facing untold hardship. However, light vehicles are being al-
Kohima, July 13 (DiPR): Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, W. Honje Konyak along with the SDO Civil in-charge of Jakhama, OC BRTF, Village Council and youth of Phesama Village jointly visited the Phesama landslide area today and verified the extensive damage caused to the area. They also held a joint meeting where the Deputy Commissioner appreciated the Phesama youth for rendering their services since the onset of the landslide and requested them to carry on with their voluntary work. Deputy Commissioner, Kohima also stated that the landslide has affected a large area posing a threat to passers-bys. He therefore cautioned the public to be vigilant and also appealed all vehicles, including light vehicles, to be wary while crossing the area, especially during night hours. He said that the BRTF is working on a war footing to clear the area and ease the traffic and requested the public to bear with the inconveniences caused. Due to the extensive damage caused to the highway, restoration of the road may take some time, the Deputy Commissioner added.
St. Joseph College Jakhama College closed for two days
Seen here is a portion of National Highway 29 that was swept away by a landslide which occurred between Phesama and Kisama on the night of July 12. About 200 feet of the Highway was swept down into the valley for some 500-600 feet. An alternative route is being opened through the exit road of Kisama Heritage Village. (Morung Photo)
lowed to ply through the exit road to Kisama, which brought about some relief to commuters as alternative means of transport could be arranged. The landslide also affected vast swathes of paddy
fields, reportedly around 40-50 paddy fields situated below the road. Border Road Organization (BRO) official present at the site informed The Morung Express that the formation part of the road was completely eroded
and that restoration effort would take time. He said the only option is to go for fresh cutting. He was also apprehensive that the situation may deteriorate if there is continuous rainfall. A Traffic police official
state level NGOs, former policy makers and civil society on Article 371 A of the Indian constitution on July 12 at the Capital Convention Centre in Kohima. The resolutions passed supporting the Nagaland State government’s endeavor to assert its position over “transfer and ownership of land and its resources” vis-à-vis oil and natural gas seemed to miss the objections to heavy reliance on legal arguments to justify their right over the resources within the State. “There are two ways to go about this,” sounded former chief minister of Nagaland, K.L. Chishi. “We either go back to the pre-1960 status and join the rest of the Nagas for a sovereign Naga land, or the Government of
India should understand that Nagaland was created through Article 371 A of the constitution.” This statement puts into perspective the historical context and political situation of Article 371 A. Chishi’s voice found body in what rights activist Kekhrie Yhome had to say. “We encourage transparency over control of our resources, but deploying a legal approach to contest the validity of Article 371 A goes contrary to the Indo-Naga peace talks,” said Yhome on behalf of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR). The State government sought to regain its rights over “land and its resources” by quoting the constitutional license given
to Nagaland State through Article 371 A of the Indian constitution. A further embodiment of this, as per the State, is the Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulations and Rules, 2012, which the CM hinted as being an “indigenous legal framework”. The ownership of “land and its resources” is political. None of the arrangements made between the Government of India and the Naga people have had any effect on rights. While the 9-point agreement was simply not adhered to, the 16-point memorandum led to a “special provision” (Article 371 A) under the constitution, which, as ex-MP Khyamo Lotha put it, is “neither temporary nor permanent”.
when contacted said that since the restoration of the road will take time, Manipurbound heavy vehicles should take the Chakhabama via Pfutsero to Tadubi or Chakhabama via Pfutsero to Jessami routes. BRO person-
St. Joseph College Jakhama will remain closed on July 15 and 16, 2013 on account of the prevailing situation caused by the landslide. This was informed to the Media by the college principal.
nel and the district administration assisted by Phesama villagers were seen engaged in clearing the debris at the site. Further, the Phesama Youth Organization (PYO) deployed volunteers to help the stranded passengers
on both segments of the disrupted highway. The Officers’ Forum Jakhama SubDivision today donated 20 cartons of mineral water to the stranded people on the highway. Continued on page 3
‘Article 371 A is an instrument of accession’ Cancer treatment: is it affordable? Morung Express News Kohima | July 13
Toshi Wungtung’s sharp voice cut through the legal croissant the politico-legal class of the State of Nagaland tried to bake. “Article 371 A is an instrument of accession,” he stated, looking through his black rimmed glasses on behalf of the Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO). “It is only after its enactment that we became officially Indian.” Politically speaking, this is the core Naga argument. Wungtung was speaking at the Government of Nagaland’s consultation, under the aegis of the Department of Geology and Mining, with Naga Tribal Hohos, state level political parties, MLAs,
Wapangsungla Longkumer Dimapur | July 13
“Smells funny and spicy!” These words rolled out in thick Brazilian accent from my exchange teacher on a visit to Dimapur. But I suppose spicy is a less offensive word to stinky. Let’s smell the stink of poor civic sense that lurks dominantly on roads, drainage, footpaths or, simply put, ‘on the walk of civilization’, keep our nose open and be the judge of that. The sanitation drive carried out by the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) is a game changer to many who can make the right use of what it has to offer. Officer Superintendent Nyamo Lotha said, “A special drive is being carried out to avoid flood, mass workers are engaged to clean the drainage which have been left unattended for 10-15 years;
Messi & Neymar can play together, claims Pep Guardiola
–Lao Tzu
Landslide snaps National Highway-29
Continued on page 3
The Polar point and the in-between of civic sense
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Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love Sonia urges CMs to roll out food security scheme in ‘letter and spirit’
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DO NOT THROW GARBAGE HERE. The contradiction between words and deeds as garbage is carelessly dumped on the road side at Duncan Basti, Dimapur. (Morung Photo)
even the town areas are cleaned everyday followed by colony wise drive to collect waste.” Liaison Officer G Sharma also said, “The
motto of the DMC is to keep the town clean, the need for cleanliness is important because Dimapur being the gateway of Nagaland,
the image we portray to people coming from other parts of the state leaves an impact that is why we seek co-operation from people.”
Yet heaps of junk prevail in most parts of town, creating safe haven for mosquitoes, flies, insects, germs and bacteria—are we that generous? A simple task of throwing garbage into the bin will do wonders not only to the environment but also appease narcissism if one knows how karma works. A resident of Landmark Colony laments about the undesirable effect of the garbage dumped across the street: “flies loom at an alarming rate which is a threat to our health.” Another resident of Duncan Basti points to the garbage thrown recklessly by other residents outside his house. “It is difficult for us to control people from throwing waste because they come in the dead of night or early in the morning before the street gets busy. Continued on page 3
• Poverty leaves cancer-patients untreated • Should the government provide assistance? Vibi Yhokha Kohima | July 13
Kim’s mother (name with held) was diagnosed with Colon cancer in 2012. She says, “I get a monthly salary of Rs 4,500 and my mother’s chemotherapy cost Rs.10,000 per treatment. I could no longer afford it after the third treatment so we decided to stop the treatment.” Kim is the sole breadwinner in her family of three. Her nephew who stays with them had to leave school after completing his 8th standard as there was no one to look after her ailing mother. “We have decided to stop the treatment even though the nurses told us to come back. The hospital paid half the amount for the treatment but I had to look for more money.” Kim adds that she did not even want to borrow as it would be difficult repay the amount. Her story echoes the conditions of many others families and lives whose cancers are left untreated because of poverty. They borrow money, sell their lands or seek religion but worse still; some stop the treatment leaving the cancerous cells to slowly and painfully take their lives away. The cost of cancer treatments vary for the different types of cancer. Treatments for Colon cancer and stomach cancer range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20, 000 per cycle, while ENT cases range from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 per cycle. Most of the treatments need to be continued till the seventh cycle. Dr. Atoshe Sumi, Head
of Oncology Ward, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) says, “In NHAK, investigations like x-ray and blood tests for cancer is free and the pharmacy also provides a few discount on cancer medicines for senior citizens.” However he adds that there are no funds from the government for free treatment or financial assistance for poor people. Dr. Tina Khamo, Managing Director for the Population Board Cancer Registry (PBCR) says, “When people get diagnosed with cancer in Nagaland, if they cannot afford it, they just leave and go back to their villages while some go to prayer houses. They do not want to reveal about their conditions and go into hiding. For government servants, they can reimburse their medical expenses.” However he states that for people working in the informal sector, like farmers, there is no way to get reimbursement. Dr. Hotokhu, former National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) Officer says, “We receive around Rs 2 lakh or 3 lakh per year from the NCCP, which are mostly used for training. The ministry does not provide any funds for cancer-affected people though cancer is a very serious issue in Nagaland.” NCCP Nagaland consists of only the program officer and no regular, contract, adhoc or contingency. Dr. I Chuba, current NCCP Officer says, “The funds which NCCP provides are mostly used for evaluating, monitoring and researching cancer cases in Nagaland.” States like Meghalaya
and Mizoram receive free cancer medicines from the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). B Yalie whose father recently died of cancer said, “When we went to Shillong Government Hospital for my father’s treatment and received free cancer medicines which amounted up to Rs 1 lakh.” However in Nagaland, according to Dr. Kikameren Longkumer, Deputy Director for NRHM, there are no such funds in NRHM for cancer patients in Nagaland. Nursing Sister, Thejavino Y, in-charge of Oncology ward, NHAK says, “This year three people left for their villages after finding out that they had cancer because they were too poor to afford the treatment. She adds that there is no provision of free medicines or financial assistance except for donations which they received recently from a school and anonymous people. An official from the NRHM, who wished to remain anonymous also expressed desire for “some pressure” to be applied so that funds are available for free cancer treatment in the state. Cancer is a serious issue in Nagaland and is rapidly increasing among Nagas each year. The mindsets of people need to change since many who are diagnosed with cancer often hide the truth. Awareness on cancer issues need to be inculcated among the Nagas. But most of all, there is a dire need for free medicines and financial assistance from the government for cancer patients.
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