15th August 2013

Page 1

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 223

www.morungexpress.com

Parliament Aamir keen passes antito donate Pak resolution, organs, says India not says wife a threat Kiran [ PAGE 08]

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Knowledge will give you power, but character respect

Thursday, August 15, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4 –Bruce Lee

Excise dept reports 400 lakhs revenue during 2012-2013 [ PAGE 02]

40 years after Vietnam bombing, victims still fall

[ PAGE 11]

[ PAGE 09]

C M Y K

Federer opens hardcourt season with win [ PAGE 12]

tobu in pain & darkness ins sindhurakshak sinks Dismal power supply & healthcare facilities plague Tobu

MuMbai, august 14 (iaNs): In a horrific peace time military disaster, a newly refurbished Indian submarine sank with 18 sailors at a naval dockyard here early Wednesday after a huge explosion engulfed it in flames. Three officers are believed to be among the 18 men who met a tragic watery grave after a deafening blast tore through INS SindhurakHe got it for not Celebrating shak, which was berthed in as well as for celebrating the the naval dockyard off Mumwrong independence day! bai Harbour, officials said. The cause of the roaring exThe Morung Express plosion, heard over a two POLL QUESTIOn kilometre radius including Vote on www.morungexpress.com large parts of south Mumbai, SMS your answer to 9862574165 and the blaze that gutted the deep sea fighter vessel is still Is Nagaland government not known. taking the free, informed The sailors were reportand prior consent of people edly working inside the for development activities? submarine at the time of the incident and remained Yes no Others trapped till the submarine began sinking and finally went down around dawn. TV grabs of the incident Dear readers, this is and amateur video shots to inform you that showed a huge ball of flame The Morung Express erupting on the horizon of will remain closed on the Mumbai harbour and Thursday, August 15 lasting for nearly three on account of national hours before it was brought holiday. The Morung under control around 3 a.m. An alert Mumbai Fire Express will re-open on Brigade managed to save a Friday, August 16 and the next issue of the second submarine. Deputy newspaper will be avail- Chief Fire Officer P.S. Raable on August 17. We handale told IANS that he thank you for your con- saw another submarine tinued support and un- berthed barely five-six metres away from the burning derstanding. The Morung Express INS Sindhurakshak. Realising the danger, Rahandale alerted his fire fighters and those from the Indian Navy and Mumbai Port Trust to save that submarine. “We built a wall of water-jets between INS Sindhurakshak and the other vessel, thereFull text on page 4 by giving it a safe window to sail to safety,” he said. In his first reaction, a grim Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the media in DiMapur, august 14 (MExN): Police have ascertained the cause of the fire that erupted on the evening of August 9 in the backyard of a petrol pump at Dimapur’s 7th Mile. According to the Dimapur police, the fire was caused by a cylinder that exploded, while cooking in a house in the backyard of the petrol pump. Three people, said to be attendants of the petrol pump, were reportedly cooking when the cylinder exploded. They tried to douse the fire but when unsuccessful, they fled the spot the night itself. Police arrested one of them, named Vipin, on the eve- Naga archer ning of August 13 at around Chekrovolu Swuro 7pm. The other two— to receive Arjuna Manohar and Vinod—reAward on August 29 main absconding.

Public Notice

Naga Independence Day Speeches

August 9, 7th mile fire: Cylinder blast culprit

18 crew members meet tragic death after blast tears through submarine

Imojen I Jamir Tobu | August 14

New Delhi: “I feel sad about those navy personnel who lost their lives for the country.” He did not give the number of dead. Antony then flew to Mumbai and visited the site. The naval docks, the Mumbai Port Trust and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust share a common navigation channel in Mumbai harbour through which the vessels belonging to all the three sail in and out. An inquiry has been ordered into the disaster on the eve of India’s 67th Independence Day. INS Sindhurakshak was a diesel-electric submarine that returned home last year after a major refit at Russia’s Zvezdochka shipyard. It displaces 2,300 tonnes, carries 52 crew members, has a top speed of 19 knots (35 km per hour) and diving

depth of 300 metres. Its loss came barely two days after India acquired its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the nuclear reactor that propels Arihant, the country’s first ballistic missile submarine, went critical Aug 9. The incident has dealt a major blow to Indian Navy, which has grown tremendously in recent decades with a view to dominate the Indian Ocean region by acquiring blue water operational capability. With over 58,000 personnel, the Indian Navy boasts of a large operational fleet that includes an aircraft carrier, an amphibious transport vessel, eight guided missile destroyers, 15 frigates, a nuclear powered submarine, 14 conventional submarines, 24 corvettes, 30 patrol vessels, seven mine counter measure ves-

sels and auxiliary ships. INS Sindhurakshak was laid down in one of Russia’s oldest shipyards, the Admiralty Wherf yard in St. Petersburg, in 1995. It was launched in 1997 and delivered to India in December that year. The contract for its refit and modernization was signed in June 2010. Part of the refit involved installation of equipment for Klub-S (3M54E1 anti-ship and 3M14E land attack) cruise missiles and over 10 Indian and foreign-made systems, including the Ushus hydro-acoustic (sonar) system and CSS-MK-2 radio communications system. In addition, the boat’s cooling system was modified, a “Porpoise” radio-locater fitted and other work carried out to increase the boat’s military capacity and safety.

Like many places in the interior of Nagaland, Tobu under Mon district has its own tale of woe. An almost nonexistent supply of power and the lack of proper healthcare are issues which have plagued the residents of this place. Tobu, with a population of over 5000, presently taps solar energy, even to charge mobile phones. Tobu used to receive electricity from Tuensang till the early nineties. Later, 11 KV of power was supplied from Mon town, which could light the town only for a few hours at the most in a day. Even this has been cut off now and Tobu is at the mercy of the Telangsau mini hydro plant at Tobu, which produces only a few KA according to Kyba, Vice Chairman of Tobu Town Adhoc Committee. However, since the last few days, this hydro plant has also been damaged by landslides and no information could be ascertained as to when the plant will be re-instated. Tobu continues to hover in miserable darkness. Adding to the woes in Tobu is the lack of healthcare facilities. It was revealed that the 12 bedded Community Health Centre at Tobu is functioning without a doctor for some years. A medical camp was conducted in Tobu on August 12 as part of an effort initiated by Thungbemo Patton, EAC, Tobu and Vekholu Venyu Medical Officer at Center for Hope (Primary Health Centre), Longpang. More than 160 patients benefitted from the camp. Patton reveals that the camp was initiated as he observed that there were many people suffering from different ailments in and around Tobu. Patients would go to

arena. She has come a long way from that thirteen year old girl from Dzulhami village, Phek, who first tried her hand at archery in 1994. On August 29 in New Delhi, she will be presented with India’s most prestigious sporting award. “It’s all about hard work,” she asserts. She adds that it feels good to be acknowledged for all the hard work she put in to get to her current position. Her advice for young Naga sportspersons is to work hard and believe in their dreams. She encourages them to be sincere and dedicated; adding that success in one form or the other is always achievable. Chekrovolu is among the fifteen Indian sportspersons selected for the Arjuna Awards from various sporting disciplines for the year 2013. At present she is in Aurangabad preparing for the selection trials to

the World Championships. Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and Minister for Youth Resources & Sports, Merentoshi Jamir have both congratulated Chekrovolu for being selected to receive the Arjuna Award. The CM in his congratulatory note stated that hailing from a humble background; Chekrovolu has overcome numerous hurdles and made significant sacrifices. “Her achievements and career is an inspiration to one and all, and she has become a role model for the youth,” he added. While stating that her selection for the award is a deserving and timely recognition of her contributions, Rio also wished that Chekrovolu would continue to bring laurels for the country and Naga people. Nagaland Minister for Sports & Youth Resources, Merentoshi Jamir along with the department of Youth Resources & Sports also congratulated Chekrovolu. A press note from the Director, Youth Resources & Sports siad that the department is proud of her achievement. It appreciated the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for recommending Chekrovolu for the country’s highest sporting award and added that this would encourage people in Nagaland to take up sports as a career and inspire sportspersons to strive for excellence.

DiMapur, august 14 (MExN): Nagaland’s Member of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha, Khekiho Zhimomi has raised the issue related to the application of Article 371 (A) in the context of Nagaland and its constitutional validity. A copy of the speech by the MP was tabled during the ‘Special Mention Motion’ on the floor of the House in the Rajya Sabha in order to draw the Government of India’s attention and particularly the Minister for Petro-

leum and Natural Gas. Khekiho while pointing out that the resolution passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly was ‘constitutionally correct’ and its validity was ‘unquestionable’ urged the Government of India to respect and honor the constitutional provisions of Article 371 (A) in “our future relation” both in letter and spirit. The MP drew the attention of the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas about

The night sky is lit up as a fire burns aboard INS Sindhurakshak, an Indian Navy kilo class submarine early Wednesday Aug. 14, 2013, in Mumbai, India. An Indian navy submarine caught fire after an explosion aboard the vessel, and sank with some people still aboard, the Defense Agency said Wednesday. The number of casualties remains unknown at this time. (AP Photo)

An elderly patient writhes in pain as he waits for his turn to see the doctor. Photo by Imojen I Jamir

nurses at the Health Centre or visit a pharmacy and would take whatever the pharmacist prescribe, risking high chances of missprescription. “Nearest town we could visit is Aboi which is around 90 kilometers and not everybody can afford to go there every time we get sick”, reveals one of the patients, who is a farmer. A parent lamented that their children suffer for weeks and months from ailments that could have been treated in a few days, if only a doctor was around. Mostly children and elderly people of Tobu and nearby villages availed the Medical Camp. There was an elderly woman who weighed only 26 kilograms, suspected to be suffering from asthma and other weaknesses. The doctor examined and said she needed to be admitted in a hospital but as there was no doctor at the CHC, she could not be admitted. The same medical team along with the EAC visited Changlangshu and Monyaksha. Some medicines were received from the Directorate at Kohima for the Medical Camp. The

remaining medicines were contributed by Patton and Venyu. It may be noted that the Centre of Hope at Longpang (opened by Rev. Dr. Chingmak Chang as a rehabilitation centre and now a Primary Health Centre) is only around 20 kilometers from Tobu but citizens of Tobu mostly do not avail this facility as relationships between Tobu and villages under Tuensang district have been estranged since the early nineties. However, this is now changing with the younger generation slowly realizing the need for cohesive society. This is evident as youngsters from social networking sites from both sides have met and interacted for positive change on a number of occasions. Some members of The Tuensang Voice, a Facebook group, volunteered at this medical camp and also distributed sweets to the children. A resident of Tobu was heard thanking The Tuensang Voice and saying that he would take his ailing son to Centre of Hope the next day and admit him there.

his letter dated 13th June, 2013 addressed to the Chief Minister of Nagaland requesting withdrawal of the notification issued by the Government of Nagaland in December 2012 inviting expression of interest for exploration of oil and natural gas in Nagaland. Such a move, according to the MP, ‘unceremoniously infringed’ and thereby ‘undermined the supremacy of Parliament’ and pointed out that only Parliament

can take away Article 371 (A) if it so decides. Khekiho also quoted the Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India, which was of the opinion that the term ‘Land and its Resources’ in Article 371 (A) would include mineral oil and its resources and that the State of Nagaland would have the power to frame its own law regarding ownership and transfer of such land and its resources under Article 371 (A).

It’s all about hard work: Swuro Special Motion in Rajya Sabha on Article 371 (A)

Rumor causes scare in Kohima

C M Y K

KOHiMa, august 14 (MExN): In the run up to August 15 Independence Day, rumors of a scare at a bakery in Kohima caused some panic amongst people in the capital on August 14. However, police were quick to dismiss the reports and said that no untoward incidents have been reported. Kohima Police further informed that security arrangements have been tightened in all districts for August 15 and that security forces will remain extra vigilant for any untoward incidents.

Morung Express news Dimapur | August 14

When Chekrovolu Swuro was informed that she had been selected for an Arjuna Award, she became speechless. “I have no words to express how I felt at the time,” she says. It was her brother who informed Chekrovolu of the news which had been announced in the television. Chekrovolu exclaims that she was shocked and overjoyed at the recognition that is being bestowed upon her. In addition to being a member of the Indian Women Archery team in the 2012 London Olympics, Chekrovolu has won numerous medals in both the national and international

Caught between the Past and the Future Morung Express news Dimapur | August 14

The August days of the independence of South Asia from western power might bring romance to the senses, but to many minds it brings pain. They left many people caught in the web of conflict 66 years hence— scattered over boundaries, in military rule. Yet, the Naga Students’ Federation, and its federating units, today hoisted the Naga flag throughout their jurisdiction successfully to mark this day. For the Naga youth whose elders declared “independence” on August 14, 1947, there not just “undeniable confusion” about “independence” but also reinforcement of the belief that “the democratic aspi-

Faith, identity and confusion: Independence for Naga youth

rations of the Nagas are uncrushable.” For James Pochury, the Naga Independence Day is an assertion of “being born in a free land,” while for Peter Rutsa, it is reassertion of “my distinct and inalienable identity.” Between them, they represent the voices of the Naga youth—of those who are “crying for independence” in their “economic and social lives free from oppression and suppression” as well as those who await “a final recognition and severing of political ties with the antagonist.” “August 14 is not yet a day of celebration for me,

but a day of introspection and soul searching. A day of the year on which I am once again rudely reminded about the fiasco all parties concerned are in,” says Peter, President of the Northern Angami Youth Organisation. He refers to the armed violence (state and non-state), the suspicion and fear that have become entrenched in Naga society. But the forces that make the case ever-complicated for the Naga people today are not lost to all. “However flawed, immoral and unethical some of the foundations of our movement have become, I know the designs of adversaries

that have made people apathetic towards our aspirations,” asserts James who works with Action Aid. On this day, there is a hope for differences both internal and external to be negotiated. “It is a day which represents not just political independence, but also that we have our disagreements, we have our differences; let us acknowledge it and together exhibit wisdom in order to bring it to a conclusion,” states Peter. The day is also a reassertion of faith. “I believe in the wisdom and vision of our past and current leaders of our great nation. Our ancestors were visionaries, and even now we have the best of leaders. My faith remains unshaken,” expresses James.

C M Y K


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
15th August 2013 by The Morung Express - Issuu