18th July 2013

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Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 195

The Morung Express “

www.morungexpress.com

Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself

Bihar meal toll rises to 23, sick battle for life [ PAGE 08]

Thursday, July 18, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4 –Lao Tzu

Applications invited for National Award 2012 in MSME

Levine engaged to Prinsloo

[ PAGE 02]

Syria death toll hits 5,000 a month: UN

[ PAGE 11]

[ PAGE 09]

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Hingis to make doubles comeback [ PAGE 10]

Matrix of violence against women Vibi Yhokha Kohima | July 17

On May 16, a Naga family of three was hacked to death which included two pregnant women. On May 25, a six year-old girl was raped by her father. On July 4, Nagaland saw the horrific murder of another woman, of violence unimaginable (with her pictures circulating all over social networking sites). On July 11, a minor was raped by a forty year old man. These recent violent crimes against women and the brutal way in which they took place, indicate an alarming reality of what our society is becoming. A look at the crime rates against women in Nagaland suggests that there is an increasing trend. In 2011, the registered rate of crimes against women was 37 in total while in 2012 it rose up to 42. Of these, sexual violence is the highest with a total of 60 rape cases registered between the year 2008-2009 and 34 cases of ‘outraging the modesty of women’. How did it all start and how do we stop it? Here is a look at the factors that have lead to this alarming trend and also focus on how to mitigate it.

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NLA session to resume today Kohima, July 17 (mExN): The ongoing second session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly will resume on July 18. Thursday’s proceeding will be marked by questions, laying of reports and other papers, if any, Presentation of Supplementary Demands for grants for Regularization of Excess Expenditure for the Year 2006 2007, Presentation of Budget for the Year 2013 -2014, Presentation of Assembly Committee Reports and Presentation of C&AG Report for the year ended 31st March, 2012 (Report No.1 of 2013). The session is scheduled to go on till July 22.

Ao women urged to gather today at ADC Court at 9am

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DimaPuR, July 17 (mExN): In relation to the rape and murder of late Nungshilila Longkhum on July 4, the Dimapur Watsu Telongjem (DWT) has asked all Ao women residing in Dimapur to gather outside ADC Court Dimapur on July 18 at 9:00am in traditional attire. The DWT president, Alila Jamir and general secretary, Aoinla Jamir stated that the accused who is under police custody should not be granted bail till the court announces its final verdict.

Media explosion and alien culture “When a society is not really rooted in values, people get imbibed into such elements as a result of globalization and explosion of mass media. This media explosion has simply come alive and we have not sufficiently engaged ourselves on media education and its adverse impact.” says Rev. Fr. Sojan Xavier, Chancellor Diocese of Kohima. He adds that dignity of women is a pre-requisite for any society and violence occurs when this dignity is denied and violated. The advent of new foreign cultures, disappearance of old traditions and values and inability to balance both worlds is one factor that needs further emphasis. “The crimes we see today has a lot to with the violence we are exposed to, the portrayal by media where extreme violence is depicted,” says lawyer Ayo Jajo Aier Keviletuo Kiewhuo, Naga Hoho President says, “Today youngsters have become complicated because they have to cope up with numerous developments and advancements in the world especially in terms of technology. We are not able to adapt to alien cultures

SIT, Fast Track Courts and Martial Arts: Naga women’s memorandum to Governor

naga women take to the streets in protest against the increasing number of violence against women and children. (Photo by Caisii Mao)

or synchronize our culture with other cultures.” He laments that there is also an element of greed and selfishness to acquire money. Videlalie Zashiimo, SP Dimapur says, “Such crimes can be attributed to alien cultures, negative impacts of IT and internet. We think that we are very advanced but we are still

far away from civilization.”

Absence of strong social sanctions and the insensitive culture “Rape becomes a social stigma, so our women fear to disclose such violence,” says Rothihii Tetseo, SP Kohima. It may be noted that most crimes against women especially rape in Nagaland are

reported by non-locals. Society often fails to understand the victim’s trauma and tend to judge her moral character. As a result, many such cases go unreported. This may further empower the accused to continue such acts. “The absence of strong social sanctions is one factor that has increased crimes. Society does not

gress while referring to the police investigation report and the prosecution sanction sought from the NLA Speaker has also reminded the Speaker of the letter submitted on May 10, 2013, wherein it was mentioned that during the course of investigation, that facts and circumstances have been established and Speaker to immediately ac- the investigating officer will cord the same as required be submitting charge sheet for the law to takes its own against the accused to stand course of action. trial in the District Court. The opposition ConContinued on page 5

Kohima, July 17 (mExN): Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Delimitation in Nagaland has expressed optimism that the Supreme Court of India will finally pass judgement in its favour with regard to the writ petition (civil) filed by them (JAC) against the Union of India and five other respondents including State of Nagaland. Earlier in 2008, JAC filed the WP (C) challenging Union of India and five other respondents including State of Nagaland challenging Delimitation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008, Executive/ Presidential Order dated Feb.

provide any deterrence” says Wabang Jamir, IPS.

Circulation of pictures It is not just the perpetrators but society that has turned insensitive towards violence against women. The circulation of pictures itself depicts the inhumane nature of today’s society. Continued on page 5

Kohima, July 17 (mExN): “The slow legal system in disposing cases is seen as one of the reasons why sexual offenders and murderers remain largely unpunished thereby encouraging other likeminded criminals commit horrifying offences without any hesitation. The House appeals for immediate setting up of ‘Fast Track Courts’ in every district in Nagaland,” said the memorandum submitted by the Naga tribal women organisations on July 13 to the Nagaland Governor Ashwini Kumar appealing for an immediate intervention in the “alarming rise of crimes against women and children in the state.” The organisation constituted of the Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur, Watsu Mungdang, Eastern Naga Women Organisation, Tenyimia Women Organisation and women activists The memorandum informed that a meeting was held on July 9, where members condemned the gruesome murder of Late Nung-

shilila Jamir and demanded for punishment of life imprisonment till death for the accused. It also urged the state government to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the case and complete the investigation within one month’s time. Further, it demanded that no bail warrant be given to the accused. The memo also sought attention for the Amendment of the State Women Commission Act so that it strengthens the Women State Commission which has only three members by accommodating more women members. And also set up Women Commission Cells in the districts with representatives of Tribal Women Organisation The need for more manpower in women cells and induction of women personnel in the force by fulfilling the mandatory 10% of women was also mentioned in the memo. Lastly it requested the Governor to make necessary arrangement for compulsory training of girls in martial arts for their safety and security.

gave three weeks time to the respondents to produce relevant documents pertaining to the case, a JAC member informed. He said that as per the case, if the Supreme Court gives its final verdict in favour of delimitation in Nagaland, the delimitation would be based on the 2001 Census. “We are fully optimistic that the case would reach a logical conclusion”, another JAC member said and added that the injustice of decades of uneven representation of districts and tribes in the state legislative assembly would finally be corrected.

Since the first hearing in 2008, the case has come up for hearing before the Supreme Court 15 times. According to sources, as per the Delimitation Commission recommendation in 2002, if redistricting/ delimitation is effected in Nagaland, districts which would gain additional assembly seats include Dimapur (2 seats), Wokha (2), Kiphire (1), Longleng (1), Peren (1) and Kohima (1). The 2003 delimitation exercise was carried out in all states except Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. The next country-wide delimitation exercise will take place in the year 2626.

NPCC concerned by Delimitation in Nagaland: JAC expresses ‘optimism’ ‘questionable delay’ 8, 2008, and Delimitation (Amendment) Act, 2008, which halted the 2003 country-wide delimitation exercise in Nagaland. JAC members in a meeting held Wednesday in Kohima informed representatives of tribes and districts which would benefit if delimitation is effected in Nagaland, that the Supreme Court last heard the arguments of both the petitioner and respondents on July 9 and 10. The apex court reportedly remarked that the WP was a “very important case” and cannot be adjourned any further. Accordingly, the apex court

DimaPuR, July 17 (mExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee has written to the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly demanding for accordance of prosecution sanction against Imkong L. Imchen, former Home Minister and present Medical Minister. The NPCC in a press note issued by its President SI Jamir, expressed to the Speaker its deep concern and dismay over what it

termed as the “questionably delay in according the prosecution sanction” against the accused Minister and pressed upon the

DimaPuR, July 17 (mExN): A few days back, the rains arrived and people of Dimapur cheered at the much needed relief from the scorching summer heat. However, this source of respite quickly turned sour with floods ravaging several areas and landslides blocking off roads. Several low lying areas in Dimapur paid the price for inadequate drainage systems. Incessant rainfall on July 16 continued persistently for hours hampering normal life at Padum Pukhuri, Dimapur with massive flooding. The Padum Pukhuri Village Council informed that flood waters have affected about 120 families, with water levels rising not less than 7-8 feet in certain pockets. In some places, village approach/colony roads remained completely cut-off with the rising of water levels. Houses in the hundreds including playgrounds, offices etc were seen flooded till late afternoon. Village council mem-

Exposes poor planning, weak infrastructure and tests disaster response mechanism Entire state should be on alert: CM

Asks Speaker to accord prosecution sanction against Minister

Torrential rain leads to flooding and landslides

(Left) A JCB removes debris at one of the landslide affected spots along nH 29 some 15 kms away from Dimapur on July 17. Photo by Caisii Mao (Right) A young man wades across his flooded room to recover personal items on July 17 as blankets and other household items are seen floating in the kitchen inundated by the torrential monsoon rain on July 16 evening at Lake View colony. Lack of proper drainage system in Dimapur has caused many houses to be partially submerged every year during the monsoon season. Photo by imojen i Jamir

bers led by chairman, Vitoka Katty and VDB secretary Wojamo Lotha along with Kakuho GB, Sumi Community and elders visited the submerged areas and took stock of the situation. Flooding of such level has never occurred in the vil-

lage before, stated the village authorities. Sensing the need for proper drainage, culverts and outlets, the village authority has resolved to review the drainage system of the village. The council has also informed villagers

to remove illegal structures and structures blocking the free flow of water. The council has also urged for the concerned authority to step in and assess the situation. At Unity Colony falling under Purana Bazar ‘B’, residents shifted their belong-

ings to safer places as water levels inside their houses rose to two feet. Some residents have locked their houses and entire families have been shifted to their relatives’ places, informed colony elders. It was reported that

cattle were also washed away by the rain water. Unity Colony Union members said this type of floods were an annual occurrence and appealed for the authority to take appropriate steps to prevent such disasters. Continued on page 5

Kohima, July 17 (DiPR): Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio today visited the two landslide affected areas at Phesama and Merema villages. The two landslides have cut-off access to Kohima, causing great hardship to commuters on both sides of the road. The CM called for the roads to be restored as early as possible and desired that the various Departments help and extend full support to ease the hardships of the people. He also urged that related departments like relief and rehabilitation, roads and bridges, disaster management authority, agriculture, forest and land revenue etc to make proper assessment of losses to property and cultivations and to come to the aid of the affected people. The CM further stated that the entire State should be alert for similar disasters during the monsoon season.

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18th July 2013 by The Morung Express - Issuu