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www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 255
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www.morungexpress.com
Tuesday, September 17, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant Thirteenyr-old girl begins MA in microbiology [ PAGE 08]
Several killed, injured at Washington Navy Yard shooting
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–Robert Louis Stevenson
First IndianAmerican to win Miss America [ PAGE 11]
[ PAGE 09]
AcAUt MeMorAnDUM
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
nagaland government seeks more time
‘Role of State Govt not been properly defined in ongoing Ceasefire’
Just training for the future, Dad!
Arms dealer apprehended DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 16 (MExN): Personnel from the 29 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ 6 Sector AR apprehended an “arms dealer” in Dimapur. A press note from Lt Col AS Chauhan, PRO for the AR informed that the apprehended person has been identified as Obed Zeliang, a resident of Tesen village under Peren district. One .22 pistol with a magazine was seized from his possession. The note added that during investigation, the arms dealer revealed he had served with the NSCN (K) as Vice Chairman of the Zeliangrong Region and subsequently left the organization in August 1997. According to the note, the individual was proceeding to Manja in Assam in order to sell the weapon. The apprehended was later handed over to the West Police Station, Dimapur.
One missing in Kohima
KohIMA, SEPTEMBER 16 (MExN): A 17 year old girl went missing on September 13 at around 1:30 PM at Upper Midland, Near LCS Building Kohima. Source informed that a girl named Sumo, light dark complexion and 4’10 in height, was last seen wearing blue jean and pink shirt. Anyone who comes across the missing can contact 8732893110/ 9402019975.
ANSTA appeals to SSA Mission
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DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 16 (MExN): The All Nagaland Schools Teachers Association has in a letter to the Director, SSA Mission urged that the amount sanctioned for salary and allowance of teachers appointed against SSA post creation should be used judiciously for that purpose alone. While acknowledging the SSA efforts to get the necessary sanction order from MHRD for the release of funds; the Association reiterated that the whole salary component sanctioned by MHRD should be deposited to the account of S/E at one go. This would be unlike the present practice of crediting only for a period of 3 months. It appealed for expedition of the transaction process and credit with whatever amount has been earmarked for the salary of teachers to the School Education account so that the aggrieved teachers would receive their salary at the earliest. Meanwhile, it also requested the Directorate of School Education to disperse the salary to the affected teachers at the earliest possible time as soon as it is received it from the SSA.
Unmoved by the hustle and bustle, an old man is seen sipping rice beer outside his house as VIPs and visitors flock to Thanamir village to attend the Apple Festival. (Morung Photo)
2004 blasts hearing deferred again
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 16 (MExN): The justice system in India is known to progress at an excruciatingly slow pace and Nagaland seems no different. Trial in relation with the 2004 Dimapur twin blasts was deferred for the second time since trial proceedings began in July. The first hearing of the case was conducted on
July 17 wherein the charges against nine defendants, alleged of complicity in the blasts, were considered. The next hearing on August 19 could not take place as scheduled and had to be deferred after the prosecution raised objection with regard to procedural lapses in appointment of counsels for the defendants. Considering the argument,
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 16 (MExN): The Nagaland State government in response to a memorandum submitted on August 30 to the Chief Minister by the Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) has sought more time pointing out that “actions on the issues raised will take time to implement due to various reasons including deeper deliberations and formulation of action plan for implementation in view that some of the issues are very sensitive”. This was stated in a letter issued to ACAUT by the Chief Secretary of Nagaland Alemtemshi Jamir on September 13. It may be mentioned that the ACAUT had given 15 days for the government to respond to its ten point memorandum. The State government was of the view that the points raised by ACAUT in some cases will even require for-
the Court subsequently directed that the procedural lapses be resolved for proper resumption of the trial, thereby scheduling September 16 as the next hearing. However, today’s hearing had to be deferred as it was learnt that the alleged lapses are yet to be resolved. It was further learned that the judge for this case is on KohIMA, SEPTEMBER medical leave. 16 (MExN): On Sunday night at around 8:45 pm, a Reverend-pastor of a church in Kohima and his group of church members were assaulted by an unidentified number of people at Ghopur town under Sonepur district, Assam. The group of six was returning to Kohima in their church bus, when the incident happened. • Greater visibility for HIV/AIDS issues The group while pass• Encourage safe and responsible behavior among ing through the area was dithe youth • Reduce stigma and discrimination by “demystify- rected by the police to take an alternative route, as an ing” HIV/AIDS • Promote HIV/AIDS related services • Increase general awareness about HIV/AIDS
NSACS Zero MMC launched in Kohima Kohima |September 16
Nagaland, along with the rest of the North East is all set to conduct the 5th edition of a multi media campaign to promote awareness and education on HIV/AIDS. In tune with the National AIDS Control’s Organization (NACO) plan, the campaign will create awareness through sports, music and festivals. Billed as NSACS ZERO Multi Media Campaign (MMC), it was formally launched by Khriehu Liezietsu, Advisor to the Music Task Force and New & Renewable Energy at the Rattle & Hum Lounge, Kohima. The campaign will run from October 2013 till February 2014. Liezietsu announced that NSACS ZERO MMC (music) will kick start from Mon and culminate at Dimapur. This will be the 5th music campaign to spread HIV/AIDS awareness among the Naga youth through the medium of music, he said. This year’s campaign will leverage on previous year’s learning. The campaign aims to capitalize on the popularity of local entertainment avenues among the youth, especially in the area of music, which has a huge following in the state. MMC will be carried out in two levels covering all the districts. Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) Project Director, Dr NL Changkija re-iterated that
Mcc oBJectiVes
the campaign belongs to one and all and expressed optimism that the Music campaign would be taken forward with a renewed vigor. The objective here is greater visibility for HIV/ AIDS issues. Dr Changkija informed that 60-65% of the current prevalent rate falls within the age group of 15-45 years. She further called for spreading awareness with renewed commitment and with a greater perspective. Deputy Director (IEC), Ayieno Kechu informed that sports would be taken to the most remote districts including Pungro in Kiphire district, Satakha in Zunheboto district and one village in Wokha district. This will be a part of the campaign to reach the youth through sports. Entry tickets with HIV/ AIDS messages, jerseys with HIV/AIDS message, banners and placards at the venue, pledge taking against HIV/ AIDS by players, printing of red ribbons and HIV testing in the venue will all be a part of the campaign. NSACS will piggy-back on prominent festivals and celebrations in Nagaland by participating in the
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 16 (MExN): Responding to the letter from the Nagaland State government on the 10 point memorandum it had submitted to the Chief Minister on August 30, the Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) has expressed dismay that the government has not addressed any of the points raised citing “the lame excuse of inadequate time served on it by ACAUT to address the issue”. The ACAUT in a press note pointed out that the government has been silent on the issue of unabated taxations by
Naga Political Groups (NPGs) and illegal collections by government agencies for the past 4 months despite the fact that ACAUT booklet on taxations was distributed to all the members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) during the monsoon session. “Therefore, citing lack of time to address the issue is unjustifiable and it portrays the insincerity of the government. At this juncture the public should be the best judge as to what is wrong with the government”, the ACAUT stated. Full text of ACAUT Memo on page 4
mulation of new policies including legal measures covered by appropriate laws and legislations. As such, it was stated that the 15 days time given by ACAUT is insufficient since the “various streamlining and structuring of the governmental organizations, particularly correcting systems that have evolved over a long period of years, cannot be done overnight”. The Chief Secretary’s letter has asked ACAUT to review the 15 days deadline served earlier. Also stating that one of the main underlying themes leading to the present situation is related to activities of Naga Political Groups, the state govern-
ment pointed out that its role has not been properly defined in the ongoing Ceasefire and the negotiation process between the Government of India and various Naga groups. “The Ceasefire mechanism is also supervised by Chairman of the CFMG (Ceasefire Monitoring Group)/CFSB (Ceasefire Supervisory Board) and basically implemented through the Assam Rifles. Under such circumstances, the extent to which the State Government can take action has been largely left undefined in the Cease Fire Ground Rules and therefore, policies and actions related to the matter of dealership, syndicates,
agencies etc indulged by the NPGs will take time to be formulated and implemented”, stated the letter. However it was also mentioned that these matters are already under consideration by the Administration and the Police. The Chief Secretary has also said that the CM has considered the Memorandum with all seriousness and that it was taken up in a special Cabinet meeting convened on September 3. “The State Cabinet had deliberated on the Memorandum and took into account the various issues raised therein and further directed the administration to reply to the Memorandum”, stated the letter.
accident had taken place earlier. However, when they stopped to ask a cyclist for directions, a group of people approached them from behind and started damaging the vehicle. The mob broke the vehicle window and assaulted the Reverend with bamboo sticks, who was in the driver’s seat. Sources informed that an accident had occurred earlier in the area, where an Assam vehicle ran over a person who succumbed to his injuries. Sources also in-
formed that the residents of the area had been calling for the construction of a speed breaker for some time. On contacting the Reverend’s wife, who was also present during the incident, she said, “It was just our bad luck that we had to cross at such a time.” The Reverend was injured in his upper lips and right ear, which required stitches. A source from the Dimapur Police said, “In the past few months, five people have been killed by As-
sam vehicles in the area. The administration promised to put up speed breakers but failed to do so which further instigated anger among the people.” It was through the help of the Dimapur police, Kohima police and some officials who intervened that the church group was able to reach Nagaland safely. Police said that a case has been lodged with regard to the incident and that the Assam police have affirmed to try and identify the assaulters.
Caught at the wrong place, in the wrong time
Music, Sports to ‘fight’ HIV/AIDS Our Correspondent
ACAUT dismayed over ‘insincerity’ of govt
Hornbill Festival and during Christmas (Activities during Christmas in Kohima and Dimapur jails). NSACS ZERO MMC coordinator, Theja Meru said that this year MMC anticipates the participation of 100 plus Music groups from Nagaland, out of which 11 bands will be selected to participate in the Grand Finale. Under awareness through music, this year’s theme is ‘Music for Zero.’ This in tune with the UNAIDS’s strategy of ‘Getting to Zero’ by 2015. It advocates ‘Zero new HIV infections, Zero Discrimination, Zero AIDS-related deaths.’ Event partners for the campaign are Unitex, Crescendo, Dream Cafe, Audio Garage, The Naga Blog, INDIHUT, Rattle & Hum Lounge and Space-M. Winners of the grand finale (state level) will receive a cash award of Rs. 1 Lakh, while the first and second runners-up will fetch a cash prize of Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 40,000 respectively. Winners of the district level competitions will receive a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 while the first and second runners up will receive Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 2,000 respectively.
Ring to protect women against crimes BANgAloRE, SEPTEMBER 16 (IANS): Beware of assaulting women, as a Karnataka pharmacist has devised a protective ring to sting an attacker. “The gruesome (Dec 16) gang-rape in New Delhi last year prompted me to devise a safety ring that can be worn by women on their right index finger to defend themselves against a potential rapist or killer,” device inventor, Imran Khan said. What makes 30-yearold Khan’s ‘Sting Bee’ silver ring a reliable armor for self defense is a liquid chemical compound (Capsaicin) in the head of the ring, which on releasing from its micro tank, weakens an offender and immobilizes him from attacking or assaulting any girl or woman. “As Capsaicin is four times hotter than Bhut Jolokia (pepper) and 300 times more spicy than Guntur red chillies (from Andhra Pradesh), it stimulates chemoreceptor nerve endings in the skin and causes shooting pain for 45-60 minutes when injected into the body from the ring’s micro tank using a micro pump and a micro needle,” Khan said at a preview of the ‘Sting Bee’.
A self-defense ring named Woman Sting is displayed at its launch, part of the “Save My Sister” campaign in Bangalore, reportedly conceived after the December 16 gang rape incident. The ring comes with a micro needle, a pump and a tank filled partly with Capsaicin, a chemical compound that is active component of chili peppers. (AP Photo)
A RFID (radio frequency identification) tag on top side and a dual lock mechanism prevents misuse of the ring, which can be made of any safe metal. “The device is tamper-proof and easy to operate, as its micro tank with 0.2ml of the drug (Capsaicin) can be injected into even five persons at a time by unlocking it before an assault and gives the wearer sufficient time to escape,” Khan asserted. He has tied up with a Mumbai-based jeweller to source the silver-made
rings and with a city-based pharmacy to fill them with the drug concentrate. “A silver-made ring will cost Rs.1,999, excluding tax (5 percent) and delivery charges. It will be made to order on payment and delivered in a week across the country through courier. The price will gradually come done once sales volume picks up,” Khan observed. Re-fill of the canister (micro-tank) with Capsaicin will cost Rs 1,000 per fill. Khan has set up a “Save My Sister Charitable Trust” to educate
women and promote the device for their safety and security against sexual harassment and anti-social elements. He plans to distribute the ring free to economically deprived women. He has set up a call centre with a helpline number (080-6450-0112) to offer counseling to women in trouble and inform them about the safety ring. Admitting that a mere ring would not stop crimes against women, Khan said the device was one of the means to campaign sustainably against attacks on fair sex as perpetrators would think twice before causing any harm to them. “Though our hoary culture has been to respect women and treat them equally, the growing numbers of crimes against them across the country, forced me do something to check atrocities against them,” Khan said. “Barring pain, itching, burning sensation and inflammation, the chemical used in the ring is not life-threatening,” Khan noted. The trust also plans to provide free legal service to victims of crimes by hiring about 6,000 lawyers in select cities and towns across the country.
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