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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 252
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Atsa Lang Governor urged to Roths debut expedite peace talk single video [ PAGE 02] release Syria peace prospects today!!! ride on weapons talks
[ PAGE 08]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Saturday, September 14, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4
They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself ‘One-fifth of deaths of children under five worldwide occur in India’
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Modi is BJP’s PM candidate NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 13 (IANS): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was Friday named the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. The announcement was made here after the meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary board, one of the party’s top decision making panels. The day saw hectic parleys with party president Rajnath Singh trying to get all leaders, including senior leader L.K. Advani, on board. Modi, 62, heads the party’s campaign committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Related stories on page 8
Petrol price hiked by Rs 1.63 per litre
NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 13 (IANS): Petrol will cost Rs.1.63 more a litre, excluding state taxes, from midnight Friday, state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) announced. The IOC said it had to hike prices due to volatility in the rupee against the dollar and hardening of international motor spirit prices. Currently, the partially-convertible rupee stands at Rs.63.36 against the dollar. The IOC said it will reduce petrol prices if rupee-dollar exchange rate and international motor spirit (MS) prices stabilise. “The movement of prices in the international oil market and rupee-dollar exchange rate are continuously under watch and developing trends reflected in future price changes,” it said in a statement. The government had deregulated petrol prices in June, 2010. However, it subsidies the retail selling prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas to insulate domestic users from the impact of a rise in international oil prices and to contain domestic inflationary conditions.
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–Andy Warhol
Sreesanth, Chavan banned for life for spot-fixing [ PAGE 12]
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Judge shows no mercy nagaland wants peace: Ashwani
four men sentenced to death for ‘gruesome crime’
Number of studies have shown that anger, sadness and stress are good for bootleggers!
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NEW DELHI, SEptEmbEr 13 (Ap): An Indian court Friday sentenced to death four men for the gang rape and murder of a young woman, ordering them to the gallows for a brutal attack that riveted India, where it became a symbol of the rampant mistreatment of women and the government’s inability to deal with crime. Issuing his decision, Judge Yogesh Khanna said the attack “shocked the collective conscience” of India. “In these times, when crime against women is on the rise, the courts cannot turn a blind eye toward such gruesome crimes.” After the death sentence, the wail of one of the four men, 20-year-old Vinay Sharma, filled the tiny courtroom. Sharma, an assistant at a gym, then broke down in sobs. As Khanna walked from his bench, defense lawyer A.P. Singh, who has defended all four men at various times, began to shout at him: “This is not the victory of truth. But it is the defeat of justice.” Like all death sentences, Khanna’s order must be confirmed by the High Court. The men can appeal their case to the High Court, as well as to the Supreme Court, and ask the president for clemency. The victim’s family was in the courtroom as the sentence was announced, and were relieved at the results. “I am very happy our girl has got justice,” said the victim’s father, who cannot be named under Indian laws guarding his daughter’s identity as a rape victim. The 23-year-old victim and a male friend were
Chizokho Vero Phek | September 13
An Indian student displays “NO RAPE” message painted on her hands during a demonstration to demand death sentence for four men convicted of rape and murder of a student on a moving bus in New Delhi bus last year, in Hyderabad on September 13. (AP Photo)
coming home last December from an evening showing of the movie “Life of Pi” when the men lured them into boarding a bus they were joy-riding through the city. They quickly beat the friend, held the woman down and took turns raping her. They also penetrated her with a metal rod, causing the injuries that led to her death in a Singapore hospital. India’s Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty should be used only in “the rarest of rare cases,” though what defines those cases remains highly debated. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde welcomed the sentence. “The victim and her family have got justice,” he
told reporters. “The judge has set an example for anti-social elements that they would meet a similar fate if they committed such crimes.” If India’s chaotic judicial system is supposed to be independent of politics, Singh, the defense lawyer, saw a political hand in the judge’s decision. “The judge has given the death sentence under political pressure,” he said. “The punishment has been given at the government’s insistence.” Rapes are regularly blamed on the victims. Many rape victims are shunned by their families, fired from jobs and driven from their home villages. As a result, most rape victims are still thought to re-
main silent. “Too often the pressure is on the girls to stay safe. But parents need to take responsibility for their sons,” said protester Satvinder Kaur, a 40-year-old mother. “The culture will only change when mothers stop their sons from going out late at night, when they make it clear they will not stand behind them if they do something like this.” Kaur said the sentence sent “a very positive message to the ladies in India that the government is standing behind them.” The young woman at the time of the attack was awaiting exam results for a physiotherapy degree. The results came after her death. She had passed.
Nagaland and Manipur Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar today asserted that during his discussions and interactions with the people of Nagaland in the last 5 months have revealed that the common people of Nagaland desperately want peace and are desirous of making progress for the sake of their children. Speaking at a public reception programme in Phek, he said that all Nagas want the best education for their children. He revealed that there are five priorities for people in Nagaland. Stating that the first is education, he said “we have education but there is a question mark on its quality. We have schools but no teachers. The results of government schools require improvement.” The second priority, he said should be good hospitals and health services, adding that Nagaland needs a medical college immediately. Para medical institutions and pathological laboratories are required, he added. He also stressed on the need to win the fight against TB, HIV and other serious diseases. The third priority has to be roads and electricity, Dr. Kumar said, adding “We all require supply of electricity and good quality roads.” He said that the fourth priority is employment of youth. He stated that there is a mismatch between what is being taught in schools and colleges and the skills required by the youth to earn a livelihood. “They do not want to work in agriculture sector, so we have
to immediately re-align our courses and curriculum to issues of livelihood and self-employment.” “The fifth issue most important for Nagaland and the future of our children is socio-economic development. Government of India is giving enough money. More than 90% of our budget comes from Government of India every year,” he said. The Governor lamented that the Tuli paper mill and the cement plant in Phek district are now closed. “Our Sugar mill is closed. Our railway line and road projects are proceeding at a snail’s pace,” he added. “Unless our youth take up these projects, unless we make dramatic changes in socio economic and infrastructure sector how will our living conditions improve and how will our youth get employment?” he questioned. Referring to a memorandum submitted by various organizations, the Governor assured that he would do everything in his power to act on their demands. Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education and SCERT, Deo Nukhu spoke on behalf of legislators of Phek district. Earlier, the Governor visited District Hospital, Phek College and Lozaphuhu village. He also interacted with the Pochury Public Forum, Pochury Mothers’ Association, Pochury Students Union and GBs Association. The function was chaired by Phek Deputy Commissioner Nepose Theluo while welcome address was delivered by Sovenyi, President of the Chakhesang Public Organization. Vote of thanks was proposed by Ghachu Trakha, President of the Pochury Public Forum.
Governor highlights priorities for the progress of Nagaland
foothill road: clock is ticking Pollution: the burning question! Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 13
With the clock ticking nearer towards the October deadline to start work on the Foothill Road, the Nagaland Foothill Road Construction Committee (NFHRCC) had another sitting with engineers from the Roads & Bridges (R & B) wing of the PWD on September 13 in Dimapur. The R & B team was led by the Chief Engineer, D. Mero. It was resolved at the meeting that no other kinds of deductions will be allowed, except for the statutory deductions as mandated by the Nagaland state government in the rules. This particular resolution is intended as a deterrent to the all too frequent practice of government departments and legislators deducting commissions from projects
awarded. On the mandatory deductions, the Chief Engineer stated that it will not disturb the ‘actual work component’ or the amount sanctioned for the project. It was agreed that the engineers and NFHRCC will jointly survey the route as per the route map submitted by the NFHRCC on
amount will lapse, further delaying progress. Keeping this in mind, the NFHRCC reiterated that work must start by October. The additional amount of Rs. 42 crores promised by the government will likely be sanctioned only in the next financial year. Connecting the existing roads in the foothills also require clearing of forested areas. In this regard, the NFHRCC assured that it will shoulder the responsibility. In the meantime, the R & B have been asked to expedite technical aspects of the work. It was estimated that the route will require at least 15 major bridges and 600 cross drains. With regard to bridging the Doyang River, the Chief Engineer assured that engineers will be deputed by the coming week to start technical study.
Expectations rise as deadline nears August 8. September 23 and 24 has been tentatively fixed for the survey. Another important point discussed was the utilisation of the Rs. 40 crores sanctioned by the government for the initial phase of the project. There was apprehension that if the amount is not utilised within the ongoing financial year, the sanctioned
NPCB advocates alternatives to burning of wastes
DImApUr, SEptEmbEr 13 (mExN): The Nagaland Pollution Control Board has come out strongly against the pollution caused by burning municipal wastes in the state. A communiqué from the NPCB stated that burning wastes in community bins or in street corners is one of the most visible sources of air pollution in Nagaland’s context. It informed that the board has received complaints against some community bins and street corners that are burnt regularly. At the outset, burning of wastes might seem to be a valid course to take. It reduces waste and gives the place a cleaner look. However, the NPCB states that people living near such “active volcanic bins, where regular burning of municipal waste takes place,” are vulnerable
Ways to protect the environment Reduce: Avoid disposable items. Buy products in bulk instead of individually wrapped or single-serving sizes. Buy durable products and products that can be recharged, repaired, or refilled. Reuse: Donate items you no longer need such as clothing, furniture, books, magazines, and toys to relatives, friends, or charities. Mend and repair rather than discard or replace. Recycle: Separate the recyclable items from your garbage and sell them off to the kabariwallas for recycling. Compost: Install a backyard compost bin for composting your kitchen and yard waste. Dispose: Put your garbage in the community bins/area marked by the concerned municipal authority for waste collection.
to many hazards. The composition of municipal waste has changed with modern consumption patterns, causing today’s wastes to contain a large percentage of plastic and rubber. The note said that plastic and rubber wastes when burned produces furans, dioxins etc in the environment, which are in-
visible. Their health effects are not immediate; however continued exposure can lead to accumulation of such toxins in the body. The note stated that when smoke from burning municipal waste is inhaled, it results in nausea followed by slight migraine. Over time it can increase the risk of developing tumours, can-
cer, heart diseases, learning disorders, infertility, impairment of the immune system, asthma, sinusitis and other diseases. The NPCB has encouraged people to raise concerns with persons habitually burning wastes, thereby causing health concerns. It added that the law also prohibits burning of municipal wastes under the Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules 2000 Schedule II Sl. No.1 (viii). “In case you are the culprit who burns wastes regularly without caring for your neighbours, please give up the habit and think of your neighbours,” advocated the NPCB. Informing that safer alternatives are available to dispose waste, the NPCB has encouraged people to reduce, reuse and recycle waste products.
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