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Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 314
The Morung Express “
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Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future
Cong unable to digest my popularity: Modi [ PAGE 08]
Nervous with Shah Rukh, comfortable with Salman
”
Monday, november 18, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4 –Corrie Ten Boom
‘Co-operate for all round development’
Cricket is my life, can’t [ PAGE 02] believe I won’t Mission Love : Beginning play anymore: of a charity revolution Sachin
[ PAGE 09]
[ PAGE 10 ]
[ PAGE 11]
68,628 animal, birds killed in Phek, 2008
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Chizokho Vero
NEPED deputy team leader and joint director soil & water conservation, Vengota Nakro, said that a total of 68,628 animal and birds had been killed in 17 sample villages of Phek district by 293 hunters during 2008. Out of 68,628 killed included jungle cat- 2012, large animal- 1712, small animal-17,144, large birds-5596 and small birds 42,164. Speaking at the recently concluded 8th general conference of the Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) at Phek village under the theme ‘Biodiversity conservation for economic good,’ Nakro said hunting has long been known as a primary cause of wildlife species depletion in tropical forests. But in the last few decades the problem has increased exponentially. A study conducted by NEPED during 2003 revealed that despite the resolution of village councils, prominent civil societies such as Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO), augmented by the action of the CYF, hunting continues unabated. He stated that a major cause for the drastic depletion of bird population is in the use of air-gun and catapult among young boys to shoot birds. “Trapping
birds by using traps and tree gum is another cause of depletion of population of birds,” he said. Nakro said, while performing extensive and intensive tours across villages of Nagaland by the NEPED project staff, many villagers reported unprecedented rodent (rats) menace destroying their crops in the fields. These villagers also pointed out that animals and birds that feed on rodent were killed by hunters resulting in the increase in the population of rodents. In an attempt to quantify the number of wildlife killed during 2008, a survey was conducted. On an average, only 6% of the total households are involved in hunting and are responsible for the depletion of biodiversity. “Scientists working among tribal communities in other parts of the world patronise hunting because they are of the opinion that meat from wildlife is essential as a nutrient supplement. But this may not be true in Nagaland, particularly among the Chakhesangs, because if it is true, then 94% of the population would have been suffering from malnutrition,” he said. Nakro said, the fact that 293 hunters had killed 68,628 revealed that animals and birds are still present in our jungle. He pointed out that if the pres-
ent trend of hunting continues, “our forests shall become empty sooner than later.” Monthly hunting figures indicate that January, February, November and December account for 62% of the killings. These four months are dry seasons providing an ideal setting for hunting and they are also festive seasons. During these months, the NEPED’s deputy team leader said, wild fruits also mature providing food for birds in the trees and the dropped fruits an ideal feeding ground for animals. Hunters track signs to spot and kill the animals with ease because vegetation dries and hunters can move effortlessly. Nakro opined that conservation efforts by civil societies and frontal organizations such as CSU, CPO, CYF and village authorities need to increase during these months. More importantly “raising awareness on the consequences of biodiversity loss by the students and youth shall go a long way in conserving biodiversity and protecting environment,” he said. The CYF has instituted the Biodiversity Award from this year wherein three villages Lozaphuhu, Zhavame and Sabraba got the award for reserved forest area and successful implementation of ban on hunting.
remedial measures to correct the situation by initiating project “Skilling Pughoboto.” “The project aims to identify educated but unemployed youth and provide new vocational skills to refine, sharpen and upgrade their existing skills leading to employment opportunity, thus bringing a positive change in their living and earning standards,” stated KHF in the latest edition of its newsletter. Additionally, this project is instrumental in providing
livelihood skills to the youth and mainstreaming opportunities in the sunrise sectors of the country. In June 2013, KHF ventured out on a new project called “Skilling Pughbooto” and 12 unemployed youths were identified belonging to different villages. They were trained under various vocational courses as per their choice and qualification for a period of three months. These youths began their training in July 2013 at Don Bosco Vocational
Training Centre, Dimapur and, placement assistance being an inherent component of this programme, they have been recruited in various companies, resorts, hospitals in the country. A felicitation programme was hosted last month by Mrs. and Mr. Y. Vikheho Swu, parliamentary secretary for irrigation and flood control. In the first batch of the project “Skilling Pughoboto,” 12 successful youths were placed in Gurgoan, Kolkata, Ooty, Goa and Bangalore.
Kohima | November 17
Social work, social work! Yeeh, we`re really spoiling the government.
The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Is the increasing richpoor gap threatening the overall progress of the Nagas? Yes
no
Others
Rs 937,82,67,500 was spent during the February 2013 nagaland Assembly Elections. Was money power the deciding factor? Yes no
67% 07%
Others
26%
Details on page 7
Unrest between Yali and Nakshou villages Morung Express news Tuensang | November 17
An unsettled land dispute between Yali and Nakshou villages under Noksen Sub-Division resulted in resorting to damage of paddy fields and fishery by the villagers. It was reported that six paddy fields and 6 paddy field huts belonging to the Nakshou village were destroyed on November 11 by Yali villagers. In retaliation, the Nakshou villagers flushed out and damaged a fishery pond belonging to Yali villagers and resorted to gun fire by firing around 15 shots in the air. No injuries or casualties were reported. A section of 3rd NAP personnel under OC, Police Station, Noksen has been deployed in and around the disputed areas. The situation is said to be tense but under control now. A flag March was also staged by Nagaland Police on November 15. A case has been registered at Noksen Police station- Vide FIR No 06/13V/5435/153A/120-B/34 IPC.
Nagaland Police officer dies in Delhi
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DimaPur, November 17 (mexN): A Nagaland Police Service officer, serving in Delhi, passed away on Sunday, November 17. According to Police Headquarters, Kohima, the deceased officer died of natural causes on Sunday evening. Other sources said that the officer died following a brief illness. Identified as assistant commandant, Velhoupe Tsuzuh, he was part of the 5th NAP contingent currently stationed in Delhi. He had earlier served as officer-in-charge of West Police Station, Dimapur.
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Sri Lankan policemen try to control ethnic Tamil people, whose relatives are missing, during a protest outside a public library where British Prime Minister David Cameron was meeting Tamil leaders, in Jaffna, Friday. Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa Sunday refused to give a timeline on resolving his country’s human rights issues despite an ultimatum by Cameron that he would push for an international probe if credible invesRelated news on page 9 tigations are not held by March next year. (AP Photo)
NC alleges encroachment of public land
DimaPur, November 17 (mexN): The Naga Council (NC) has expressed shock at an alleged aberration on part of the district administration of Dimapur in issuing pattas. This was stated in a letter written to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dimapur, also forwarded to the Land Records and Survey Officer, Dimapur, by the NC’s Vice President, Vikato Zhimomi. The NC alleged that the district administration of Dimapur “issued a patta to one Chibeni Lotha in 2007
throwing all norms out of the window. That this patta was issued allotting public land and space in the heart of the commercial town (below New Fly Over near Manipuri Hotel) under clear vested interest is disheartening to say the least.” The NC further expressed that “under the garb of legal sanction in the form of patta, vested persons have now encroached upon public land in the form of construction activity.” The apex body of Naga people in Dimapur then
stated that this has harmed the community in a number of ways, namely, encroachment on public property, misuse of government machinery for personal gain, legally wrong and unethical, obstructing public movement in market place, and renders obsolete the property and commercial value of the old building in front of which the new building is coming up. “Even the DMC had given its clearance for construction to take place which shows that there is a
vast network of conspirators working to siphon off public property and this should be investigated at the earliest,” accused the NC in the letter. The body now suspects that more such cases will surface from “time to time” and has requested authorities concerned to form a Special Investigation Team to look into the matter. Meanwhile, the present district administration has been requested to “cancel the patta immediately in the interest of public order.”
Morung Express news
warden of ‘Binah Hostel’ in Kangtsüng. The FIR, under sections 376 (rape) and 377 (unnatural offence) IPC, was filed with the Tuli Police Station later in the night of Saturday, November 16, informed the SP, adding that the situation in Tuli is now “under control.” Though the accused, one Imliakum, was arrested within two hours of the incident being reported, the situation later went out of control with
the people of Tuli demanding the accused to be handed over to them. The police resorted to firing tear gas and blank shots in the air to disperse the crowd on Saturday. The accused is now under the custody of Mokokchung police, in Mokokchung district jail, as Tuli does not have prison facilities. Investigations, said the SP of Mokokchung, are underway by the Mokokchung police women’s cell.
Our Correspondent
FIR lodged in Tuli sexual assault case Skilling Pughoboto- a way forward
Mokokchung | November 17
An FIR has been lodged in the alleged sexual violence perpetrated against a minor in Tuli area of Mokokchung district. SP of Mokokchung, Vikram Khalate, informed this today. On November 16, it was reported by the Kangtsüng Village Council and Ao Students’ Union Tuli that a minor girl child was allegedly raped by the hostel
Kohima | November 17
The Kushe Humanity Foundation (KHF) has stated that the number of school dropouts in the Pughoboto region is alarmingly high, adding to the ever increasing unemployment problem. Lack of proper education and vocational training leaves them with fewer options to a better livelihood, thereby constricting opportunities as compared to their counterparts. KHF seeks to provide
Mo Naga on a mission to contemporize tribal tattoo art
Guwahati, November 17 (mexN): A year back, he opened Guwahati’s first professional tattoo studio cum school, and embarked on a journey towards the revival and promotion of the region’s rich art and cultural heritage through tattoos. Today, after months of travelling and research through the various states of the North East, Mo Naga returns to Guwahati. He carries with him numerous unpublished stories, photos, videos disclosing the truth behind the misinterpretations about the age old tribal communities and the signature tribal art of the Naga headhunters, the Apatanis and more. At a recently conducted press meet in Guwahati, Mo Naga reintroduced an ancient, yet unique way of passing on our knowledge and identity to our future generations-tattoos. Mo also introduced a new logo that is a representation of his mission to revive and restore the tribal tattoos of the region to its original glory. As a Naga youth growing up in Manipur, Mo noticed that
though the tribes of North East have a unique form of body art, yet the stories behind this have never been projected to the world. The few stories that have been circulated about the Nagas and the Apatanis have portrayed a twisted or misinterpreted version of the truth. Hence, after gaining substantial popularity and success in Delhi as a tattoo artist Mo decided to delve into the depths of information on tribal art and tattoos through an extended research. Today, Mo Naga is a man on a mission to dig out the old and blend in the new. Speaking on the occasion, Mo Naga said, “A Naga tattoo has always been a mark of achievement in the headhunting clans. A headhunter used to get a tattoo whenever he demolished his enemy and successfully collected his head. For a woman, different stages of life- puberty, marriage, motherhood, used to be marked with a tattoo. With the onset of Christianity and the ban on headhunting, these tattoos lost their significance. I want to revive this form of art and restore
Mo naga will speak in Kohima november 21-23, 2013.
it to its old glory.” Mo also spoke about the misconceptions that have thrived in the absence of proper information about the significance of the tribal tattoos of the region. Many motifs have never been portrayed or published anywhere before. During his research trip to Arunachal Pradesh, Mo had
the opportunity of meeting the Chief Priest of the Apatani tribe and he came to know that the history of the Apatani women have been distorted to their utter disadvantage. Apatani women are known for sporting nose studs and facial tattoos. The common notion prevailing in the contemporary Arunachali
society, particularly the Apatanis, is that the women were forced to wear tattoos to make them ugly so that the enemies from neighboring tribes would not abduct them. However, the Chief Priest informed him that this is a false understanding of Apatani history resulting from lack of proper research. Mo narrated a story he heard from the Chief Priest- about a beautiful and skillful girl called Ami Nwdo Bunyi, who was unable to get a groom. As per the advice of the Apatani God Popee she started wearing nose studs, ear rings and wore tattoos on her face to become more beautiful and was able to attract a handsome groom for herself. As a result, all the young Apatani girls started wearing ear rings, nose studs and tattoos on their faces. Mo says, “Apart from a learned few, the current generation has no knowledge of the real meaning of the tattoos. I want the world to know the true stories behind the tattoos of the region, just as we know about
the tattoos of the Polynesian and the other South Asian countries today.” Taking Mo’s mission a step further, Headhunters’ Ink will organize a 3-day educational seminar cum workshop at the Academy Hall, Kohima from November 21-23, 2013. He will speak on ‘Naga Tattoo Art and Culture - The forgotten stories of our ancestors.’ His initiative is supported by the Directorate of Art and Culture, Nagaland and will be hosted by The Dream Catchers, Nagaland. “I am now trying to give back the knowledge that I have earned to my society. I plan to create a series of patterns inspired from the region’s tribal art and culture, but with a contemporary twist. Each new motif that I design from the primal pattern will carry with it the rich legacy that it represents. When someone gets a tribal tattoo now, he will not do it just because he likes the pattern, he will do it because he knows the story behind it,” Mo Naga concludes.
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