16th November 2013

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www.morungexpress.com

Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 312

The Morung Express “

www.morungexpress.com

The future influences the present just as much as the past

3 killed as Mangala Express derails [ PAGE 08]

A Night to RememberPond’s Eclectic Model Hunt 2013

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Saturday, November 16, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4 –Friedrich Nietzsche

Salt rumour triggers panic buying in Mkg [ PAGE 02]

Oceans suffer silent storm of acidification

Sachin hits 74 as India eye win [ PAGE 12 ]

[ PAGE 09]

[ PAGE 11]

Mon witness upsurge in tuberculosis cases

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

TB PATIENTS THAT STARTED TB TREATMENT IN MON DMC 2013

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT TOTAL

New TB patients

30

New MDR patients 1 1

26

24

27

18

17

40

46

36

35

299

0

1

0

0

4

1

3

3

2

15

Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis

1

Oh no no. only his department is poor. He is a multimillionaire.

No salt shortage

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 15 (MExN): The Director of Food and Civil Supplies, Sedevikho Khro has informed, through a press note, that there is sufficient stock of salt and that there is no need for the public to panic. The note stated that following rumors of salt shortage, officials of Food and Civil Supplies, District Administration and District Police carried out physical verification of salt stocks. It informed that 94,000 Kgs of everyday/prime/I/O Plus has been circulated to wholesalers in Dimapur. It further informed that besides the circulated amount, there is still a balance of 5,00,000 Kgs of iodized salt of the aforementioned brands lying in the godown of the concerned distributor. In Kohima as well, panicked consumers thronged shops to stock up on salt. There were also reports of hiked prices and some shopkeepers also claimed that their stocks had run out. Meanwhile, the Kohima SP has called for the people to remain calm and not panic. The Kitsubozou village council in view of this resolved that any shopkeeper found hiking the price of salt would not be allowed to continue their business within its jurisdiction.

NLA summoned on December 17

Salt prices soar high on scarcity rumours KO l KAtA / PAt N A / ShIllONg, NOVEMBER 15 (IANS): A pinch of salt suddenly acquired a big bite in parts of West Bengal, Bihar and Meghalaya, its prices sky-rocketing on rumours of scarcity. At least nine people have been arrested as authorities rubbished scarcity reports. The rumours triggered panic buying with prices shooting up to as much as Rs.100 - Rs.150 per kg in West Bengal and Bihar, and zooming to a staggering Rs.300 for a kg in Meghalaya. In parts of northern West Bengal, like Siliguri,

Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, people Thursday night rushed to markets to buy common salt, while traders overcharged the usually Rs.15-a-kg food ingredient at Rs.100-150 a kg. “Some quarters are deliberately spreading this rumours which has led to the rise in the price of salt astronomically. But we want to assure everybody that there are large stocks of salt available in the state,” North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb said. In neighbouring Bihar, prices shot up to Rs.150 a

kg in a day. Salt normally sells for Rs.8-Rs.16 per kg depending on its quality. “I have asked district authorities to lodge FIRs against the hoarders selling salt at rates above the maximum retail price...,” Bihar’s Food and Civil Supply Minister Shyam Razak told IANS in Patna. In Meghalaya, the situation was far worse as panic-stricken people Friday rushed to grocery stores and purchased salt at an unbelievable price of up to Rs.300 a kg. The state government dismissed the rumours of scarcity

and warned strict action against the hoarders and black-marketers as well as rumour-mongers. Some of the shopkeepers immediately jacked up prices to anywhere between Rs.150 to Rs.300 a kg. Meghalaya Food and Civil Supplies Minister Clement K. Marak appealed to the people not to panic as there was sufficient stock of salt in the state. “There is enough quantity of salt stock in the state, and the acute shortage of salt is only a rumour to create panic in the minds of the people,” Marak told IANS.

that MSF would look into finding the cause/causes of this recent statistic. Stressing on the importance of early diagnosis, Beatrice stated, “Anyone who suspects that they have contracted the disease should not hesitate seeking medical help, as there are ways to treat it.” Proper ventilation in rooms and simple acts like covering one’s mouth

due to old age, serious illness, drug or alcohol abuse or HIV infection. The MSF release informed that if coughing persists for 2 weeks, blood is detected in the sputum, chest pains, night sweats and weight loss is detected, then the concerned person should go to the closest Designated Microscopy Centre (DMC), where the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme provides free diagnosis and treatment for all TB patients. MSF has been operating in Mon since 2010. On October 7, Nagaland Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Luke Arend, the IndiaCountryDirectorforthe international medical NGO, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors without Borders. They agreed to a 1 year extension on the existing 3-year agreement to support the civil hospital in Mon. (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters in more than 65 countries.

166 new patients since July 2013 informs: Medecins Sans Frontiers while coughing go a long way in combating the disease, she added. Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a germ called a mycobacterium (M. Tuberculosis). It affects all parts of the body, but most commonly the lungs. It spreads when someone with tuberculosis coughs, spits, laughs, sneezes etc. throwing small droplets of saliva into the air which can be inhaled by others. It is possible, even after many years, for inactive TB germs to become active. This can happen when the body’s defenses are weakened

“fifty Years of Higher Demand for ‘quick and judicious verdict’ education in nagaland”

‘It is time to analyze and see where it stands today’

KOhIMA, NOVEMBER 15 (MExN): The Governor of Nagaland has in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India summoned the Third Session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly to meet on Morung Express News December 17 at 9:30AM in Dimapur | November 15 the Assembly Hall, Kohima. This decision was informed In lieu of the 50 years Statethrough the Secretary of the hood celebration this year, NLA Secretariat. a seminar cum panel discussion on “Fifty Years of Higher Education in Nagaland” was held on November 15. The seminar DIMAPUR, NOVEM- was organized by Dimapur BER 15 (MExN): The East- Government College, and ern Naga Peoples Union sponsored by the DepartDimapur has agreed to “re- ment of Higher Education, join” the Naga Council “in Government of Nagaland. the spirit of forgiveness.” A In the seminar, members press note from the Naga of the Nagaland Academia Council informed that in and attendees duly recogview of the continued ab- nized critical issues which sentation of Eastern Na- were stated as “so far sidegaland tribes from the of- lined” and deliberated on fice of the Naga Council, a joint meeting was held be- future direction and ways tween NC and ENPUD led to move forward. Presentby its President, A Neangba ing a brief history of Higher Konyak on November 15. Education in Nagaland, Dr The NC stated that the “six Buno Liegise, Professor, Eastern Nagaland tribes Department of Education, have agreed to rejoin the Nagaland University, statNaga Council fold.” “Keeping ed that Higher Education in mind the dire need of the in Nagaland is quite young Nagas to unite at this junc- compared to other states in ture of our history, the Naga India. Council most humbly apolShe then highlighted ogize to our eastern Naga- that the courses and proland brethrens represented grams of study available in by ENPUD if at any point of time their sentiments have Higher Education in Nagabeen hurt because of Naga land do not look as nearly diversified as compared to Council,” it added. Full text on page 4 what is provided in other

Naga Council & ENPUD ‘reunite’

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Brazilian indigenous women of the Kaiapo Durutiri tribe participate in a tug of war competition during the XII International Games of Indigenous Peoples in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso state, Brazil on November 12. (AFP PHOTO)

MON, NOVEMBER 15 (MExN): There have been 166 new patients receiving treatment for Tuberculosis since the month of July in Mon, according to Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF)/ Doctors without Borders. Beatrice Barbot, Field Coordinator for MSF in Mon, in a press release, informed that this significant increase in the number of TB patients is almost double, if compared to the same period of last year. This increase was also reflected in the number of patients being admitted in Mon District Hospital Chest Ward, where almost all the available beds are now occupied, informed the release. It stated that the number of TB patients undergoing screening and treatment “shows that Tuberculosis is a real problem in the district.” “It is too early to say what the reasons are for the increase in the number of TB patients,” said Beatrice Barbot. However, while speaking to The Morung Express, she postulated that the reason for this increase could be because people are becoming more aware of the disease and are coming forward to get diagnosed. She informed

Source: MSF

states in the North East, let alone in mainland India. She also presented statistics which showed that the private sector is a major player in providing undergraduate/degree courses in the State in terms of the number of student enrolment and even going by the pass percentage of the undergraduate results. A key point mooted by Dr. Buno was the stark absence of institutes for Medical sciences, veterinary and animal Husbandry, Institute of Information and Technology, Indian institute of Information and technology, Indian Institute of Management, National Institute for Research & Statistics etc professional courses like LLM, Library Sc and M.Ed courses among others, even after 50 years of Statehood. She stated that the demand for professional courses and higher technical education is surging by the years, and there are a growing number of college students reporting difficulty in taking up a course of their choice in the State. “The need for expansion of higher and technical education in the State cannot be emphasized enough,” she said. She argued that the State cannot remain marginalized and underdeveloped forever. She stated that it must use the 50 year of Statehood anniversary

to analyze where it stands today and carve a vision for itself. She iterated that one reality that needs to be kept in mind is India’s ‘Look East Policy’ which is expected to bring in change in India over the next few decades. She cited that the region is touted to become a central part of connectivity, and queried whether the state/University should look ahead and ‘prepare’ for such an eventuality. She said that the State should visualize towards a knowledge driven economy. She also opined that providing world class higher education in some selected subjects and disciplines may be one of the best chances for the state to compete with the rest of the county and the world. Dr.Norbert Noraho, Additional Director, Higher Education, Nagaland who was the Guest of Honour also challenged to focus on the three core policy of- Accessibility, Equity and Quality Education. He stated that the ‘need of the hour’ is for students to be educated and prepared. To the Academia members he said, “We have to produce students to fit into the international work force and we have to work harder”. Also, Khrieo Rutsa, Associate Professor, Dimapur Government College presented a paper on “Development of Higher Education in Nagaland”.

A silent procession organized by the three apex organization of Ongpangkong range at Mokokchung on Friday, November 15. OM, OWM and OKM organized the silent procession against the slow justice delivery system with regard to the July 4 murder case at Residency Colony, Dimapur. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News Mokokchung | November 15

Nearly five months have passed since the gruesome murder of a young woman at Residency colony in Dimapur, and the police and the justice system still finds itself in a quandary. The citizens of Ongpangkong range under Mokokchung district embarked on a massive silent procession and submitted a memorandum to the Mokokchung DC on November 15. The procession, spearheaded by the Ongpangkong Mungdang (Ongpangkong range citizens

organizations), Ongpangkong Watsu Mungdang (women organization) and Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (students’ organization) marched from Imkongmeren Sports Complex at 9:00 am and culminated at Imlong Place (Main Town Square) at 11:00 am. Citizens of Ongpangkong range were joined by likeminded citizens and members of apex Ao organizations like Ao Senden, Watsu Mungdang and the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang. The participants displayed placards that read ‘Don’t muddle the judicia-

ry’; ‘No Justice No Peace’; Spare not the murderer’; ‘What is the reason for the delay’ etc. The three organizations also submitted a memorandum to the Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner - which was also endorsed to the Chief Secretary, Dimapur DC and the Additional District & Session Judge, Dimapur – for “kind information and necessary action, against the murder of an innocent person by 4 accused on 4th July, 2013 at Residency colony, Dimapur”. Shops remained closed during the rally. The memorandum, while demanding the con-

cerned administrative and judicial authorities to expedite the court verdict at the earliest and deliver justice, warned that the organizations would take appropriate action against any individual or organization if found involved in any manner or obstructing the proceedings of the case. While appreciating the judicial authority for rejecting the bail plea to the accused, the organizations further demanded that the culprits be awarded exemplary and befitting punishment as per the provision of the law. The memorandum also asserted that the lengthy procedural manner in delivering justice is creating suspicion and undesired process in delivering of justice. As such, it demanded that the “delivering of justice be kindly at the earliest”. “Failing to fulfill the aforementioned demands, the undersigned organizations shall resort to their appropriate course of action, till the justice is done,” the memorandum cautioned. Meanwhile, representatives from the Ao Senden, president of Watsu Mungdang and an elder from Mokokchung village also spoke at the brief programme held at the Town Square. All the speakers, during their brief speeches called for uprooting such social evils and to continue the demand for justice till it is delivered.

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