20th March 2014

Page 1

C M Y K

The Morung Express

www.morungexpress.com

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 76

www.morungexpress.com

Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith

India to resume hunt for missing Malaysian jetliner

Ashton and Mila Kunis ‘couldn’t stand each other’

[ PAGE 8]

[ PAGE 11]

NINET appeals churches to pray for LS 2014 polls [ PAGE 2]

ANEFWA proposed agitation in abeyance [ PAGE 5]

By Sandemo Ngullie

They are members of crime syndicate? Oh. Government or private sector?

The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn

Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Do you feel that Nagaland should have more Members of Parliament to the Lok Sabha? no

Others

Wangtin Naga questions AR DIMAPUR, MARCH 19 (MExN): Convenor of the NSCN (K)’s Cease Fire Supervisory Board, Y. Wangtin Naga, has condemned the “ulterior motive” of the 33 Assam Rifles (AR) in allegedly raiding one Colonel Apan’s house at Forest Colony, Mon. “This is the second time that Col. Apan’s house has been raided by the Assam Rifles. The first raid was carried out by 6 Assam Rifles in 2010. During both the raids, nothing was found,” noted Wangtin Naga in a press release today. He has demanded from 33 AR “the reason why they have raided the NSCN (K) official’s house.” “All right thinking citizens, including CFSB, the state government, NGOs and all different agencies in Delhi should condemn such act,” he stated, further adding that “There is no room in present society to accommodate such violent action of the Indian army.”

NLA session begins today KoHIMA, MARCH 19 (MExN): The fourth session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) will start from March 20 here. The session will continue till March 24. This fourth session will witness Governor’s address, debate and adoption on motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, obituary references, questions, introduction of government bills, introduction of government resolutions, laying of reports/ papers/rules, presentation of assembly committee reports, presentation of finance (budget) documents 2014-15, adoption of government resolutions, etc.

‘India visa facility via e-button soon’

C M Y K

NEw DElHI, MARCH 19 (IANS): The electronic visa facility or e-visa is in its final stage of development and is expected to be introduced this year, a tourism ministry official said today. Speaking at the “Think TourismThink India: Thought Leadership Meet”, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, tourism secretary Parvez Dewan said the move would catapult India among the top four countries with visa-friendly policies. “The external affairs ministry, the National Security Advisor and all the related agencies have unanimously supported the introduction of electronic travel authorisation (ETAs),” said Dewan.

Thursday, March 20, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Alexis de Tocqueville

Everyone deserves second chance: Viru [ PAGE 12]

Development not insurgency ‘key issue’ in the north east

reflections

Yes

C M Y K

An octogenarian returns home after fetching firewood in Tuensang Village. Though LPG and electricity as a source of heat has reached most houses in Nagaland, it is not affordable for all and wood fuel continues to be used for cooking in many areas as firewood is fetched free. (Photo by Imojen I Jamir)

Ten tribe Hohos affirm NFHRCC stand Morung Express news Dimapur | March 19

The ten tribe Hohos backing the construction of the Foothill Road have reaffirmed to stand by the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC). Representatives from the tribe Hohos of the Konyak, Yimchunger, Khiamniungan, Phom, Sangtam, Chang, Ao, Sema, Lotha (Kyong) and Rengma tribes along with the NFHRCC convened in Dimapur on March 19 to deliberate and decide on the ‘contract’ imbroglio that has gripped the Foothill Road Connectivity project. The Lotha Hoho, Dimapur and the Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation represented the Wokha sector at the conclave regarded as crucial to the survival and completion of the foothill road. The Kyong Hoho abstained from the conclave but a message was received midway into the meeting stating that the Kyong Hoho executive body decided not to attend. The brief message further stated that it has no problem with the NFHRCC. After a five-hour long discussion, the conclave came up with a 12-point resolution asserting the stand of the tribe apex bodies and the NFHRCC. The resolutions sought to clear the controversy surrounding the award of work contract and reaffirmed the NFHRCC’s stand that the project cannot be, and will not be, ‘politicized’ in any manner, while maintaining that any attempt to do so will not be tolerated. On the statements claiming that there was no “competent contractors from the Lotha tribe,” the conclave clarified that it

was a result of “statements made by the Lotha representatives” and not the NFHRCC. Stating that the NFHRCC was a mandated body of the ten Hohos, the conclave cautioned against undermining the dignity of the Committee; while maintaining that targeting any individual or member of the Committee will be treated as an attack on the ten Hohos. Terming the statements made by MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon as “baseless,” it reasserted that no one will be allowed to exert political pressure, which might influence the course of the foothill road. It named the Nagaland Government, the department in concern (PWD, R&B) and the NFHRCC as the entities responsible for the execution of the project. In this regard, it urged the Nagaland Government to put a stop to the ongoing construction carried out by Wokha District Class I Contractors Union. It reiterated the NHFRCC stand that it will not retract the contract agreement between the NFHRCC and the contractors (P. Imty Ao and Yashitsungba Aier) dated January 18, 2014. Any other agreement, with regard to subletting, without the approval of the NFHRCC will be treated as null and void, the conclave asserted. With the Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) coming into the picture, the conclave asked the NCSU to withdraw its press statement demanding “open tender.” Failing to do so will compel the ten Hohos to disallow the NCSU to execute any work in the jurisdiction of the ten tribe Hohos, the conclave resolved. The ten apex bodies will meet the Chief Minister of Nagaland on March 20. NFHRCC Resolution on page 4

AgARtAlA/gUwAHAtI, MARCH 19 (IANS): With regional parties failing to prove themselves in the North East, both the Congress and the BJP have launched their best efforts to capture all 25 seats in the eight states of the region. However, development is a key issue in the region this time, overlooking the decades-old insurgency, experts say. “People of the North East want to forget about militancy. The region has diverse ethnic groups, languages and religions. Political parties have to be familiar with these issues during this election too,” said Nani Gopal Mahanta, a professor of political science at Gauhati University and a well-known political analyst. “In Assam, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress have almost identical chances in at least 6-7 of the 14 seats. But in the other states, the Congress is ahead of the BJP. Regional parties have become insignificant this time,” Mahanta told IANS. With a population of over 45 million, the eight states comprising Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim, have 27 million eligible voters for the general elections. “Six to seven percent vote swing on the basis of religion or ethnicity would be a factor for both Congress and BJP,” he said. The Muslim community in the North East, especially in Assam (33 percent of the population), would have its own

Constituencies in the North East Total population Eligible voters

State Parliamentary constituencies Assam 14 Arunachal Pradesh 2 Meghalaya 2 Tripura 2 Manipur 2 Nagaland 1 Mizoram 1 Sikkim 1 Political party Seats in 2009 Lok Sabha Congress 13 Bharatiya Janata Party 4 (in Assam) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) 2 (in Tripura) Nationalist Congress Party 1 (in Meghalaya) Asom Gana Parishad (AGM) 1 All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) 1 Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) 1 Naga People’s Front (NPF) 1 Source: IANS impact. Unlike in the 2009 polls, there is no pre-poll alliance this time between the BJP and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). The AGP, which ruled Assam for two terms - 19851990 and 1996-2001 - has been suffering due to splits by senior leaders, many of whom left the party to join other political parties including the BJP. Of the 25 seats in the region, 14 are in Assam, two each in Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and one each in Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim. Congress secured 13 seats across the region in the 2009 polls. While the BJP got four seats in Assam, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) got two seats in Tripura, Nationalist Congress

Pawar rules out aligning with nDA NEw DElHI, MARCH 19 (IANS): NCP chief Sharad Pawar Wednesday ruled out aligning with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the Lok Sabha elections. “The question of the Nationalist Congress Party going with the NDA does not arise,” Pawar said in an interview to CNN-IBN news channel. Asked whether Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi could be absolved of the 2002 riots in Gujarat, he said: “Are we not going to respect the judiciary? Judiciary has given a clean chit to Modi in the riots and we cannot challenge that.”

50 years on, naga political, social, cultural history evades curriculum Vibi Yhokha Kohima | March 19

“I came to know about Naga history after I left Nagaland. It is embarrassing and frustrating when outsiders know more than you of your culture and history,” says a Naga youth studying in Delhi. A nation, society or civilization is defined by its history; a society deprived of its history is one without an identity. The demand for the inclusion of Naga history in the school curriculum has become a cliché after 50 years of statehood; larger the delay, greater the risk our society runs of losing our history. “We are losing our older generation and today’s generation is so busy trying to catch up with the world that they tend to ignore their roots,” says Dr. Neikesanuo Sorhie, who feels that young Nagas are deeply influenced by for-

eign cultures, and with globalization, as cultures are assimilated, Naga culture faces the issue of losing its originality. Dr. Sorhie shares that most Nagas born and brought up in Nagaland hardly know their roots—the little Naga history and culture her generation learned was mostly through elders and neighbours. “Only a few are interested in our history; the rest are least bothered. We need to include our history in the school curriculum so that even those not interested can grasp at least something about our history,” she asserts. “It is frustrating to see Naga graduates who don’t have any knowledge of our history, be it socio-political, religious or economic,” adds another youth. In the larger context, it is not just the Nagas but mainland Indians also who need to know the history and culture of the Nagas and the North East, according to Sedevikho Angami, General Secretary, Angami Students Union (ASU), who says, “We have rich cultural heritage

which needs to be highlighted in the mainland.” Sedevikho also feels that the problem of racism against people of the North East is perhaps due to ignorance. Rosemary Dzüvichü, Associate Professor, Nagaland University is of the opinion that youngsters today have a lesser feeling of “being Naga.” “The problem with the younger generation is that they are made to study only about European, British and Indian history. We need to be in touch with our roots. Any kind of history is a fact; as is the Naga political struggle, and its facts need to be written down,” says Rosemary, who feels that youngsters need to be aware of the Naga indigenous struggle for Self Determination; unless we have the courage to include such history in the curriculum, the younger generation will remain ignorant. Then there is the need to introduce an indigenous perspective in the curriculum such as the traditional religion and customary laws of the Nagas before the arrival of Christianity, say a

45 million 27 million

number of citizens. Religion and traditions were interconnected. Traditional religion was one of conscience, of knowing the difference between right and wrong. Justice was dispensed on moral conscience. Today the Naga society has forgotten that fundamental aspect, they say. Rosemary opines that Nagaland has enough well-known historians and academicians for the SCERT to conduct a workshop with a panel of Naga experts—people who have done intensive research on Naga history and culture—to get their feedback and suggestions. There is a need for all stakeholders – politicians, civil society leaders, policy makers, educationists – to come together and form a committee so they can seriously discuss details that need attention. Will the Nagaland State Government discuss and take steps to address these urgent issues? The Naga public is keenly observing and waiting for a solution as the Nagaland Legislative Assembly begins.

Party secured one seat in Meghalaya, while the AGP, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) and Naga People’s Front (NPF) bagged one seat each. Congress is in power in Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, the CPI-M led Left Front rules Tripura, the NPF-led Democratic Alliance in Nagaland and the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) rules in Sikkim. Of the 566 legislators in the eight states, BJP has five members in Assam, three in Arunachal Pradesh and one in Nagaland. “Since insurgency has been tamed to a large extent, economic development and backwardness has replaced the militancy issue this time,” said political analyst Tapas Dey, who toured the

region extensively in recent weeks. “The five-decadeold insurgency is no longer an election issue. People want development and welfare, education, high-quality health services and sanitation,” Dey, also an author and columnist, told IANS. Congress and BJP leaders say they will capture the maximum seats this time too. S.S. Ahluwalia, the BJP’s national vice president and party incharge of North East, said: “During the National Democratic Alliance regime headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a separate union ministry, DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region), was set up and the ‘Look-East policy’ was launched to promote the region.” “But the Congressled government did not utilise the ministry for the development of the region,” he told IANS. Ahluwalia, who is contesting from Darjeeling in West Bengal, said many projects related to railways, roads and bridges launched by the NDA government have been put on hold. “When Narendra Modi visited the North East twice for campaigns, we received huge public response, brightening our party’s prospects in the elections,” he said. However, rubbishing the BJP’s claim, Congress leader Ratan Lal Nath said his party would show their best results this time, as state governments of the Congress have performed well in five of the states. “The BJP’s tally would be zero and Congress would get at least 20 out of 25 seats. This is 1,000 percent sure,” Nath told IANS.

Naga youth in Myanmar assert indigenous “will and consent” DIMAPUR, MARCH 19 (MExN): Five students and youth organizations of the Nagas in Myanmar have strongly demanded that the annual celebration of the Naga New Year Festival by 2015 shall not be managed or celebrated according to the directives of the State, but in full freedom, to be managed and celebrated according to the “will and consent” of the Naga indigenous peoples. This was mentioned in a joint statement on ‘degradation of Naga indigenous culture and national identity faced by the Naga indigenous people in Myanmar’ issued by Naga Student Youth Federation, Yangon, Naga Student Youth Federation, Myitkyina, Makury Naga Youth Federation, Tangshang Naga Students’ Association, and Naga Students’ Fellowship (Myanmar)-Dimapur. Making an observation that Naga indigenous cultural identities are no more exhibited during the annual celebration of the Naga New Year Festival, and that the cultural heritage of the Naga indigenous peoples is getting “extinct,” the joint statement, while appreciating and welcoming financial support from the State, participation of State dignitaries and all forms of help from the State, demanded that “financial assistance and support sanctioned and donated for the promotion of indigenous literature and culture shall be handed over to the concerned Township/SubTownship Cultural Committees with proper and transparent financial procedures by the organizing committee of the festival.” It was reiterated that since the Naga New Year Festival is meant to represent the whole Naga public, monopoly on the Festival by certain political parties, dresses and

use of signs and logos that serve as propaganda for any political party, campaign activities and any other activities of the concerned political parties during the celebration are “extremely opposed.” The five youth organizations also referred to the Naga Tradition and Culture Central Committee (NTCCC) that was formed by the Naga indigenous peoples as the tribal apex body to “promote and preserve the culture and national identity” of the Naga indigenous peoples in Myanmar in 1990. “Though the NTCCC is meant to represent all the Naga public comprised of all tribes, different faiths and different political ideologies, some of the central committee members are involved or as leaders in some political parties, which can no way be accepted,” asserted the organizations. They also said that the NTCCC, as the apex body of the Nagas in Myanmar, must have a “concrete constitution and its activities must be executed according to the principle and ethics of its constitution, not individual based.” The joint declaration further demanded that the “partisan leaders” of NTCCC and Township/Sub-Township Cultural Committee leaders and Tribal Cultural Committee leaders “shall be elected and replaced by the members from non-partisan candidates by September 2014 as the deadline date.” Failing to meet the above demands, the Naga students and youths said they shall cease cooperating for the activities of the NTCCC and the activities of the organizing committee of the festival. “If only the above demands are served, Naga student organizations and youth organizations shall at best cooperate for any goodwill activity,” they jointly declared.

C M Y K


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
20th March 2014 by The Morung Express - Issuu