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www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 104
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www.morungexpress.com
Thursday, April 17, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
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I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people Global media gives thumbs down to Modi as PM
Purple Fusion performs in Bhutan
[ PAGE 8]
REFLECTIONS
By Sandemo Ngullie
NSRLM, SERP and OMPLIS sign 2 years tripartite MoU [ PAGE 2]
Nine coaches, engine of train derail in Assam; over 50 injured
[ PAGE 11]
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[ PAGE 3]
–Mahatma Gandhi
Srinivasan is among 13 named by Mudgal: SC [ PAGE 10]
NSDZ?
A tragic shipwreck in Korea …
• Citizens urge ‘conscious planning’ • Points out need to be aware of consequences Morung Express News Kohima | April 16
Come back. I just want to thank you.
ACAUT Nagaland & NCSU voice against corruption DIMAPUR, APRIL 16 (MExN): The Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union (NCSU) has extended its support to Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland and resolved to not pay tax to any Naga Political Group, “as long as factionalism exists in the movement.” A joint declaration by the two organizations stated that NSCU supports the anti-corruption movement spearheaded by ACAUT Nagaland. It further said that ACAUT Nagaland is opposed to the “widespread practice of contract works being allotted through table tender as opposed to open tender which is nothing but declared corruption.” “Table tender is open flouting of rules patronizing a few contractors/firms including outsider or non-Naga firms at the cost of development in the state,” the declaration stated. It added that the two organizations would openly oppose the “wide-spread practice of Nagaland government officials undertaking contract works and supply, since such is strictly prohibited as per service rules and any official/s.” It further cautioned that such practices would be summarily exposed by ACAUT. The declaration was arrived at after ACAUT Nagaland members met NCSU officials in Kohima on April 15.
GPRN/NSCN responds to KCCI Agrees not to collect ‘tax’ in Kohima till market improves Our Correspondent Kohima | April 16
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The GPRN/NSCN has agreed not to collect tax from the business community within the state capital, till the market situation improves. The decision was taken during a closed-door meeting of KCCI officials with central and regional officials of the GPRN/NSCN at KCCI Tower on Monday. KCCI Task Force convener, Peter Rutsa informed that during the meeting, both sides discussed the impact created by forceful collection of tax by various Naga Political Groups. Such extortion has been affecting not only the business community but also the people, he said. Informing that the KCCI has not yet decided whether to pay or abstain from paying taxes in the future too, Rutsa however said that even if KCCI pays, it will be in the form of free will donation and not imposed taxation. Meanwhile, the KCCI has expressed gratitude to GPRN/NSCN for their decision.
Rescue helicopters fly over a sinking South Korean passenger ferry that was carrying more than 450 passengers, mostly high school students, Wednesday, April 16, 2014, off South Korea’s southern coast. Hundreds of people are missing despite a frantic, hours-long rescue by dozens of ships and helicopters. At least four people were confirmed dead and 55 injured. (AP Photo)
NSSATA issues 15-day ultimatum
SSA teachers protesting in Kohima on April 16.
Our Correspondent Kohima | April 16
Protesting against non-fulfillment of its demands, the Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) today staged a peaceful procession
here from Phoolbari to Officers’ Hill and submitted an ultimatum letter to the Governor of Nagaland. The SSA teachers are demanding release of pending salaries and induction as regularstategovernmentemployees. The NSSATA gave a fifteen day
NSF direct its units to verify private schools DIMAPUR, APRIL 16 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation has reminded all its federating units to thoroughly check and verify private schools, particularly the lower sections in their respective districts. A press note from the NSF stated that these checks are required to verify whether the schools are running with necessary permission from the school education department. It further directed the units to submit their report within this month, as resolved in the 3rd Federal Assembly. The NSF, during its 3rd Federal Assembly held at Chandel, had resolved to vigorously check and verify private schools, particularly the primary and upper-primary level schools in all the district headquarters, sub-division, towns and villages. This was initiated after the discovery that Blooming Bud Montessori School, Dimapur had upgraded the school till class X without permission from the concerned authority, thereby affecting many
students. The NSF stated that several primary and upper-primary level schools, particularly in remote areas, are running without proper permission from the school education department. It stated that this situation will ultimately result in students facing problem, once they reach the board level. “No doubt it is the duty and responsibility of the school education department,” it added. However, NSF said that it felt that the federation was obligated to carry out this exercise so as to safeguard the educational careers of the students, as well as to avoid recurrence of Blooming Bud Montessori school incident in Dimapur. While reminding all federating units to discharge their assigned duties with sincerity and commitment, the NSF further appealed to all the school authorities, village councils and VECs to cooperate and extend support to the student leaders in their respective areas.
ultimatum, with effect from April 16, to fulfill its demands, failing which it cautioned that the association will be forced to take up its own course of action.” The Association also stated that further steps or course of action shall not be notified and any untoward incidents arising out of it shall be the sole responsibility of the Nagaland state government and its implementing agencies. In ultimatum letter addressed to the Governor, NSSATA informed of “failures” of the state government and it’s implementing agencies to comply with the demands of the association and also on failure of “our decent and civilized approach towards the competent authorities.” SSA teachers from all over the state joined the procession and carried placards with slogans like “We can’t teach with empty stomach,” “Why is the government silent,” “We are appointed to teach not to be starved,” “Forcing us to work without salary is slavery.”
“We have to define what really is growth and progress. Our local environment needs to be understood to replicate such a plan,” says Abokali Jimomi from Organic Nagaland, who is of the view that the Nagaland Special Development Zones (NSDZs) will have consequences for people at the grassroots. In the recently held Nagaland Legislative Assembly, a resolution was passed to consider setting up of NSDZs, which has been planned in the foothills to ‘promote and facilitate faster growth of industrialization and urbanization in Nagaland, to achieve faster growth and development of State’s economy and to generate more employment opportunities for the youths.’ “Urbanisation is something we cannot stop. We don’t have revenues to generate internally but it cannot be done at the expense of the rural people,” says Chingmak Chang, a social worker from Nagaland, pointing out that people in the rural areas are the “keepers of the environment” and such processes cannot exclude these voices. Citing Shillong as an example, Chang points out that though Shillong is beautifully developed, Meghalaya’s rural areas depict a bleak reality in their lack of access to electricity, water and other basic infrastructure. “An NSDZ is a good opportunity but it might turn out to be one of those programs and schemes that looks good on paper but develops nothing on the ground level,” says a man from Kohima. He views that the government should first provide basic amenities
7 Clauses of the NSDZ resolution:
1. To review existing state laws/orders/instructions with a view to amending them to make the NSDZ project viable and effective. 2. To review and reorient the Nagaland State Industrial Policy with a view to liberalizing entry of and investment from, non-Nagas and other investors in NSDZ. 3. To bring about a Master Plan for NSDZ. 4. To issue instruction to all departments to reorient their annual plans in consonance with the Master Plan for NSDZ 5. To suggest mechanisms for- A) cadastral survey of land fallings in NSDZ area and b) evolving a system of registration of ownership of lands and issue of patta there of 6. To evolve a system of lease out land/permanent settlement for non-Nagas for the purpose of investment in the NSDZ in the form of special land access permits to be issued by the state government in this behalf. 7. To liberalize the system of entry and stay of non-Nagas in the NSDZ for the purpose of investment. before planning a program as big as an NDSZ. Special Economic Zones, similar to the proposed special development zones, are demarcated areas of land in a specific region used to facilitate industry, manufacturing, and services. There are around 3000 SEZs in 120 countries today. The policy to maintain/open up more such zones in India has remained a paradox, and led to protests from the grassroots. The NLA resolution mentions that the ‘identification and demarcation of the areas will be done by the State government in consultation with the DCs, Tribal Hohos and land owners concerned, with survey of the lands and proper system of issuing pattas.’ “When the government talks about consulting Tribal Hohos, most of the time these Hohos are hardly representatives of people. They are mere puppets of the government,” mentions a woman from Kohima. She feels that Nagas need to be well-informed about the
advantages and disadvantages of NSDZs. Real decisions and their implementation can happen only after this. Jimomi states that there are enough employment avenues and resources to facilitate such in Nagaland. The only problem, according to her, is lack of access to machineries. The state needs to explore what it can produce using its resources and needs to think about enhancing people’s capabilities. “Industrialization without conscious planning will not work. You can’t just start it because the others are doing it and destroy our region. People have the right to know and there needs to be proof of why we are doing it and how exactly are we going to benefit,” concludes Jimomi. As leaders of Nagaland State begin to consider the NSDZ, crucial steps like Environmental Impact Assessments, Social Impact Assessments, the public’s right to be informed of the disadvantages and feasibility of such projects need to be taken into account.
Of friendship and goodwill
Morung Express News Kohima | April 16
“70 years on, it is our privilege to remember the vital role played by the people of Jotsoma in World War II. We are all here today to pay our gratitude for the part played by the people of Jotsoma in defeating the Japanese,” said Brig. GK Bibby, CBE on April 16. He said this during the inauguration of the monument built in tribute to Maj. Gen John ML Grover, MC, General Officer Commanding 2nd Division, 33 corps and his officers and soldiers at Shohuza, Jotsoma. Two delegations from Britain including children and grandchildren of WWII veterans have been in Kohima since April 15 to 22 to pay tribute and commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima. During WWII, when Japanese troops occupied Kohima, Jotsoma village was the only villagethe Japanese failed to occupy. It was under the supervision of Gen. Grover at Shohuza, HQ of the 2nd division British Army that the 31st Division of Japanese Army was driven back from Kohima on May 31, 1944. However, right after the victory, Gen. Grover was removed from his division and transferred.
Monument erected to remember Gen. John Grover and his fallen soldiers from WWII
(LEFT) Attendees at the inauguration of the monument in Jotsoma.(Right) V Nagi, a WWII veteran who worked with General John Grover during the battle of Kohima.
Celia Grover, daughter-in-law of Grover who was present at the inauguration, thanked Jotsoma for the special monument and added that Grover will never be forgotten because of what the Jotsoma people have contributed. Brig. GK Bibby mentioned that apart from helping Major Grover and his troops, Rajput reinforcements were also launched in Jotsoma. Brig. Bibby reminded the crowd that the home of the 2nd
Division, in York, has a memorial for the Battle of Kohima, where every year surviving veterans come together and commemorate the event and pay tribute to the people who died in the battle. Brig. Bibby expressed hope that the friendship between the people of Britain and Nagaland will last forever. Pfheluopfelie, who spoke on behalf of Kohima Educational Trust (KET) and Kohima Educational Society (KES), said that
it was through this society that a connection was made between UK and Nagaland under the initiatives of Gordon Graham. “Position, power and wealth come and go, but imprinted qualitative character, good behavior and conduct indelibly remain,” said Krurovi Peseyie, Chairman Monument Committee. He remarked that during WWII, it was the affectionate character and conduct of the British soldiers, even in the time of
a terrible war, which won the support and cooperation of Jotsoma’s villagers. Peseyie hoped that the monument will be a symbol of relationship, friendship and goodwill. A 21 gun salute was observed followed by paying of homage. A souvenir on the historic Battle of Kohima was released by Brig. GK Bibby. After the function, there was a display of WWII antiques and a visit to Puliebadze and Gagiphe.
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