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Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 14
The Morung Express “
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reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Kohima | January 15
The Morung Express POLL QUESTION
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Are Naga politicians working diligently to earn the respect and trust of the public? Yes
No
Others
NHRC notice to DGPs of Nagaland, Assam GUWAHATI, JANUARY 15 (PTI): The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Directors General of Police, Nagaland and Assam, calling for reports about bodies of nine persons found in a gorge in Nagaland’s Dimapur district. Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report that highly decomposed bodies of nine persons were found in a gorge covered in polythene sheets in Dimapur district adjacent to Assam, the NHRC also issued the notice to the Superintendent of Police, Dimapur. In an email to PTI here today, the Commission “observed that the press report, if true, raises a serious question of violation of human rights of the victims and issued notices to the Directors General of Police, Nagaland and Assam and to the SP, Dimapur calling for reports within four weeks”.
Thieves try to steal Sigmund Freud’s ashes
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LONDON, JANUARY 15 (AP): Police are hunting burglars who tried to steal the ashes of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud from a London crematorium. The Metropolitan Police force says a 2,300-year-old Greek urn containing the remains of Freud and his wife Martha was severely damaged in a break-in at Golders Green Crematorium on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1. Detective Constable Daniel Candler said Wednesday that the attempted theft was “a despicable act.” The father of psychoanalysis moved to Britain from Nazi-controlled Austria in 1938. He died in London in September 1939. Golders Green Crematorium has seen the funerals of many British celebrities, including “Dracula” novelist Bram Stoker, comedian Peter Sellers and singer Amy Winehouse. The crematorium said the urn had been moved to a secure location and security was being reviewed.
33 yearold Silsila Silsi ends with Namaste
Toss a coin into the air; it flips and turns in the air before it finally rests on the ground with its head or tail, deciding the fate of a game or a bet. Each coin has two faces, one completely contradictory to the other. Just a flip of a coin and there is a whole new story behind. Ever so often, there is a shootout, an encounter; where one or more ‘cadre’ of one of the factions, Naga National Workers, is shot at and killed. A brief paper war ensues thereafter,mostlyfordisrupting peace. Couple of days and the matter is wrapped up and boxed away. But, strip them off their factions, uniforms and guns, beyond them lies families; wife and children. In all conflict, women and children are the ones who are affected the most. If history is any indication, for that matter the present, children have always been the innocent bystanders caught up in the crossfire of violence and warfare. “It’snotalwaysthatthefather has been killed. In most cases, the parents are still alive but they bring in their children saying that they are better off here,” says a care-
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Women, Children are often the innocent bystanders
A young boy plays with a toy at an orphanage. Photo by Kedimen Kichu
taker of an orphanage, the name of which is withheld. According to UNICEF, during the last decade, it is estimated that child victims of warfare have included - 12 million left homeless, more than one million orphaned or separated from parents and some 10 million psycho-
logically traumatized. In some cases, even before children are aware of their being, they are ripped away from everything, familiar or close to them. “At times babies as young as 24 hrs are brought in because the mother dies during childbirth and the father has little choice but to give up his
Naga political struggle will continue: GPRN/NSCN
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 15 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN today said that “the action of the Sumi Volunteers” on December 28-30, 2013, “was not against the Naga political struggle. It was simply a displeasure shown against a particular group, a remorseless kind, for crossing all limits of tolerance.” It asserted that “The Indo-Naga political struggle will continue until and unless an acceptable solution is arrived at, between Nagas and the Indian Government.” While stating that “a Naga woman, be it a mother, sister or a daughter should be treated with dignity and respect at all times,” the MIP said that “The ordeal of the
helpless victims, the just demand of the Sumi volunteers, the lukewarm response of IM leadership and subsequent killing and injury of volunteers suggests a preconceived mindset and flawed policy at play.” Noting that “Like the rest of the Nagas, Sumis are staunch nationalists and they will continue to fiercely support the Naga political struggle,” it reiterated that “when their mothers, sisters or daughters are humiliated physically and verbally as on 21st December, the unbearable insult, pain and anger turn into aggressive quest for justice. The negative wisdom displayed by IM leadership in
the aftermath in not handing over the culprits despite a written assurance to do so is incomprehensible.” The MIP also stated that “seldom has any Naga leader at any era of our struggle, given order to open fire at Naga volunteers. This unsavory incident is not related to Indo-Naga Political issue but a serious violation of human rights by the perpetrators and equally by the organization to which they are affiliated to.” The GPRN/NSCN observed, “Whether it was lack of wisdom, arrogance or plain hatred for a tribe, in the end it was not Sumi volunteers but resilient Naga spirit that triumphed.” Full text on page 4
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–Henry David Thoreau
Time to shift from Serena individualism to collectivism Williams, Djokovic [ PAGE 2] advance Thai PM stands firm [ PAGE 10] on February election
CHILDREN OF CONFLICT: The other side of the story Naro Longchar
Time to go to the market? Oh. I am updating my facebook status give me twothree hours.
Thursday, January 16, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined
US returns 3 ‘most wanted’ stolen antiquities to India
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child,” adds the caretaker. “Children have, of course, always been caught up in warfare. They usually have little choice but to experience, at minimum, the same horrors as their parents. Children have always been particularly exposed and the trauma of exposure to violence and
brutal death has emotionally affected generations of young people for the rest of their lives,” states UNICEF. “My father was a Naga National Worker and he was hardly around as I was growing up. My mother passed away when I was very young and he was all that I had. Every day I used to fear for his life and prayed for God to protect him. And whenever I missed him, I used to go into the jungle to stay with him,” says the son of a National Worker. The Naga Nationalist Movement is one of the longest in modern history and one can only imagine the many young lives that have and are being affected in the fight that continues till today. Sadly, society has the tendency to undermine or overlook the effect of conflict in children, because they are minors. In any case, it is always the weak and the vulnerable who suffer the most in silence, because they do not get a say in the very thing that is destroying their lives. This is but just a flip of a coin. Toss it in the air and facets of countless stories with innocent lives intertwined into the violence will flash across before it finally rest s on its head or tail.
DiMAPUr KillinGs Assam demands cBi or niA probe GUWAHATI, JANUARY 15 (IANS): The Assam government has demanded a probe either by the CBI or the NIA following the recovery of nine bodies from near Dimapur in Nagaland earlier this month, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said Wednesday. “Assam has already asked the central government to order a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA),” Gogoi told media persons. He said the situation has improved along the Assam-Nagaland border in Karbi Anglong district, which was tense for a few days after the bodies were found. Nagaland Police discovered a mass grave and the nine bodies from Pachaspura area near Dimapur town on the night of Jan 3. All the victims were identified to be from Karbi Anglong, mainly from Bokajan subdivision. A day later, suspected Naga militants fired indiscriminately at
a village near Khatkhati, killing one civilian and injuring another. Assam has intensified security along the Nagaland border and deployed 17 companies of security forces. Night curfew was imposed for a few days in Bokajan. Areas along the AssamNagaland border were tense since the last week of December when militants from Karbi Peoples’ Liberation Tigers (KPLT) attacked a Naga village, in which at least seven people - four civilians and three militants - were killed. On Dec 27, over 50 houses were torched in clashes around Chokihola in the district. Following these incidents, about 3,600 people took shelter in relief camps. However, people have started returning home and over 600 have already left the camps. “Now there are close to 3,000 people in the camps and we hope to send them back to their homes soon,” Gogoi said Wednesday.
Justice demanded for gang rape victim Morung Express News Dimapur | January 15
The Lotha Hoho Karbi Anglong and the Lotha Eloe Ekhung Karbi Anglong today staged a protest at the DC Office, Dimapur, demanding punishment for the three accused for the rape of an 18-year old girl on January 12. The two organizations submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, appealing that justice be delivered to the victim. The memorandum, appended by LHKA Chairman, N James Murry and LEHKA Chairperson, Mhabeni Humtsoe, termed the incident as a case of “barbaric,
LHKA, LEEKA stage protest; submits memorandum to DC
senseless and inhuman act perpetrated against an innocent student” and demanded that the accused be awarded “capital punishment.” While appreciating the Nagaland police for their “proactive action,” the organizations appealed to the DC that the accused persons face trial through a fast track court and that they be not granted bail “under any circumstances or pressure.” The protest saw the DC Office being gheraoed by members of the two bodies. Protesters however relent-
ed after the District Administration, District & Sessions Judge and the Superintendent of Police, Dimapur made assurances that justice would be seen to. On January 12, the victim was on her way back home after attending a church service, when she was picked up by the three men in an auto-rickshaw. She was then taken to the Dimapur State Stadium and gang-raped. Sources informed that one of the accused was an acquaintance of the victim and had thereby, succeeded in luring her
into the auto-rickshaw. Police have arrested all the three accused and identified them as - Benathung Kikon (20) S/o Ekonthung Kikon of Yikhum Village, Yanthungo Odyuo (24) S/o Wonyimo Odyuo of Yikhum Village, and, Wobenthung Ngullie (27) S/o late Lampvuo Ngullie of Niroyo Village. It was learnt that two of the accused are fathers. Meanwhile, Additional SP & PRO, Dimapur Police, W Jamir informed that a case has been registered and that the investigations are on. He further informed that the police have succeeded in getting a remand for the three accused.
culture, sustainability and participation for rio Morung Express News
Chuchuyimpang | January 15
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said today that Nagas were introduced to the global scenario through global conflict in World War II. While the Naga forefathers struggled to safeguard “our culture and identity,” Rio asserted that Naga people today, due to their own selfishness, do not realize what the Naga leaders had started. Rio was speaking at the 66th General Conference of the Ao Kaketshir Telongjem (AKM) being held January 14-16 here, attended by over 3000 delegates. He said that the current issues being faced by Nagaland should also be discussed by the students and the public, apart from the government. While pointing out that Nagaland State is facing a number of challenges currently, including financial constraints, he stressed that even after 50 years, that State is not being able to extract resources on its own. Rio said it is the DAN government that is attempting to safeguard Naga rights, especially through bringing under its control the Rules of Executive Business. In the step motherly attitude meted out to the Nagaland State by the Centre is also the fact that there are no central or regional institutions in Nagaland though some of the smaller neighbouring states have such institutions. Rio emphasized the need to think and act upon the flaws in the implementation of Article 371-A, and pointed out the need for
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, is seen receiving a memento at the 66th General Conference of Ao Kaketshir Mungdang at Chuchuyimpang Village on January 15. Rio was the Chief Guest for the occasion.
more deliberation among the people, especially students. The Chief Minister applauded the Ao community for pioneering work in many fields, especially in education as well as establishing newspapers. Helping students with education has also been taken up by the AKM through coaching classes and setting up of libraries. He also commended the community for taking up conservation drives in many villages. Apart from development, we should also talk about conservation, he said. The efforts towards the conservation of the
Amur Falcon, for instance, said Rio, has accomplished the task of bringing positive news from Nagaland to India and the world for the first time. Students, he said, should be a part of this sustainable work. Rio also acknowledged the efforts of the AKM through its ‘Survival Mokokchung’ campaign, which exemplifies how local people can take up professional work at all levels independently. This should encourage students in other districts as well, he said. While deliberating on ‘Work culture’, he stated “unless we have work culture we are going to suffer.” “This is a world of competition; unless you are computer literate, you are handicapped,” stated the Chief Minister while talking about work culture. He additionally expressed that every position/privilege carries a responsibility, and it is against religion if we do not perform our assigned duty. Rio stated that “Chakhesang tribes are the most progressive tribe in our state” because they are hardworking and focused. He exhorted the student’s gathering to be hardworkingliketheChakhesangs. Furthermore, Rio, referring to the Right to Education Act (RTE), stated that the no detention policy under the RTE will compromise quality education. He said that education should be taken seriously; a compromised education is very dangerous in a competitive world. “You will become mediocre because this is a world of competition and compromised education may not be helpful.”
Alemtemshi urges Nagas to “realize what we are” Morung Express News
Chuchuyimpang | January 15
Defining vision as “something concrete, based on present reality, which we will see happen,” Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir delegates at the 66th General Conference of the AKM to “realize what we are, who we are and what we can do.” Distinguishing vision from daydreaming, he said that the Nagaland state government’s conceptual thinking on this ‘vision’ is going on. Without specifying, the Chief Secretary was implicitly referring to the vision of, in his own words, the “Foot Hills Super Highway, railway, linear cities and urbanization;” a ‘vision’ he has been stressing on many platforms lately. He also delved into the unemployment issue and suggested farming as a viable way out for Nagaland’s economic development. Observing that land is not a problem in Nagaland, Alemtemshi said that “unemployment in Nagaland is a myth.” Stating that this is the age of
precision farming, he encouraged educated youths to engage in farming. He added that there is “enough land, enough technology, enough market provided we have a vision.” He further encouraged students to use technology for good. “Violence may emerge over one small comment or one single picture but violence is never good,” he added, while advising the students to “filter” information received via various modes of information technology. Citing the Mukalimi incident, the Karbi-Rengma issue and the ACAUT movement, he stated that the impact of technology has been felt in Nagaland’s socio-political areas. He left it to the audience to wisely make use of such avenues. The Chief Secretary also confirmed speculation about his retirement by declaring that his retirement papers have been submitted to the government. He disclosed that he is due to retire in January, 2015. He did not disclose the reason for his early retirement but he did say that he wanted to “serve the people, God willing.”
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