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Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 20
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
[ PAGE 8]
Katrina named fourth Indian face of L’Oréal Paris
By Sandemo Ngullie
[ PAGE 2]
Thailand declares a state of emergency
Morung Express News
NERPF asks centre to scrap AFSPA NEW DELHI, JANUARY 21 (PTI): A forum of political parties from the northeast today demanded the immediate scrapping of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and to stop its “misuse” in the region. A delegation of North East Regional Political Front (NERPF), led by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and former Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, met Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and also placed a host of other demands. Voicing serious concern over illegal infiltration into the northeastern region, NERPF urged Shinde to do the needful to check influx from Bangladesh. The Front opposed the IndiaBangladesh land boundary agreement through which some border enclaves would be exchanged between the two countries. Rio and Mahanta expressed concern over continued incursion by China in Arunachal Pradesh and urged the central government to take up the matter immediately with Beijing. NERPF also opposed China’s move to construct dams in the upper reaches of Brahmaputra and attempt to divert the river saying Brahmaputra is the lifeline of the northeastern region and any attempt to interfere with its natural flow should be considered as an act of aggression.
A battery that runs on sugar
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NEW YORK, JANUARY 21 (IANS): A research team at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has developed a battery that runs on sugar and has an unmatched energy density. This development could replace conventional batteries with ones that are cheaper, refillable and biodegradable. “Sugar is a perfect energy storage compound in nature. So it’s only logical that we try to harness this natural power in an environmentally friendly way to produce a battery,” said YH Percival Zhang, an associate professor of biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech. While other sugar batteries have been developed, this one has an energy density an order of magnitude higher than others - allowing it to run longer before needing to be refueled, said the study published in the journal Nature Communications. “In as soon as three years, the new battery could be running some of the cell phones, tablets and the myriad other electronic gadgets that require power in our energy-hungry world,” Zhang said.
Djokovic knocked out [ PAGE 12]
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People want education & employment: Governor force, gives special provi-
Lakhuti Village (Wokha) | January 21 sion with respect to the
They think they won...he... he...He...
”
–Arthur Rubinstein
CSU observes 67th general conference
[ PAGE 11]
reflections
Wednesday, January 22, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
I have found that if you love life, life will love you back
Government bows, Kejriwal ends protest
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In what appeared to be a passing statement but is likely to spark off lively debates among various sections of Naga society and political parties, Nagaland Governor, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, today suggested that the 16 Point Agreement, Simon Commission and Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution are “matters of past history.” “What we read in the newspapers and Government statements about 16 Point Agreement, Simon Commission, 371 Article of Constitution. These are matters of past history,” the Governor said in his address as chief guest of the inaugural session of the 49th general conference of Kyong (Lotha) Students’ Union (KSU) held at Lakhuti Village ground, in Wokha district. The 16-Point Agreement arrived between the Government of India and Naga People’s Council in 1960 led to creation of Nagaland as the 16th state of Indian Union while Article 371 (A), which is still in
State of Nagaland. “What the present generation wants is good jobs. They are prepared to work hard to earn their livelihood which they expect will provide them reasonable standard of living and facilities like roads, vehicles, mobiles, internet, TV and goodies of life which others are enjoying,” the Governor added. Stating that he chose to travel by road to understand the problems faced by the common people, especially the road conditions, Kumar said that sitting in Kohima, reading official reports, attending high level meetings, gathering information from newspapers and TV channels conveys an absolutely different picture of people’s demands and desires. “Frankly speaking, there appears to be a big gap between what the people want and what is discussed in official meetings at Kohima and Delhi,” he said. According to Kumar, during his interactions with the common people,
Kyong Students’ Union brings in 49th general conference
Nagaland Governor, Dr. Ashwani Kumar and his lady wife accompanied by Minister for Forest & Border Affairs, Y Patton, NSMDC chairman and MLA, N Thomas Lotha, and others arriving at the Kyong Students’ Union (KSU) conference at Lakhuti village, Tuesday.
what he learnt is that the people desperately need good water supply and electricity, good roads and hospitals and rapid agriculture and economic development. The Governor also said common people are
most worried about education and employment for their children. “And what people don’t like is violence, blood-shed, threats and extortions. They hate corruption and illegal taxation,” Kumar added.
The Governor appealed to the KSU and all other students’ unions in Nagaland to assume leadership role in bringing about “qualitative transformation” in the functioning of educational institutions.
“For ensuring rapid agro-economic development and creation of jobs and livelihood opportunities, we need to immediately change the quality of teaching and learning and re-orient the functioning of our schools, colleges and universities,” Kumar said. Minister for Forest and Border Affairs, Yanthungo Patton, the guest of honour, in his address said the NPF-led DAN Government has initiated various programmes and schemes related to the youths. Patton said these programmes and policies are aimed at empowering the people at the grassroots level, especially emphasising more on uplift of the educated unemployed youths. The forest minister also said students as educated group should be fully aware of global warming and the need to preserve and promote “our forest and wildlife.” Patton said the recent concerted effort made by individuals, organizations and the Forest department in protecting and preserving the Amur Falcon “is
laudable because it has become a pride for the Lothas is particular and the Nagas in general in the eyes of the international community.” Chairman, Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation (NSMDC), N Thomas Lotha, MLA, the chief host of the conference in his “special greetings” underscored the need for youths and students of the North East Region to comprehend in depth the road map on education rolled out by the Ministry for Human Resource Development under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). Thomas said NE youths stand to gain the most from RUSA. Meanwhile, the chief host also reminded the Governor that Lakhuti is a historical village as the then British DC of Naga Hills, Captain Butler, started his last sojourn from Lakhuti village in 1875 before he was ambushed at Pangti and succumbed to his injuries. Thomas, also a native of Lakhuti, proposed to the Governor to construct a stadium at the village ground in memory of Captain Butler.
Abducted labourer rescued Rio calls upon Montek assures NE CMs of Morung Express News Dimapur | January 21
One labourer, who was abducted at gun-point, was safely rescued by the police. The incident occurred on January 11 last. According to delayed information received from the police, the labourer was abducted at gun-point by two men from a construction site at Padumpukhri. One of the men was later arrested. The duo had demanded Rs. 10, 000 from the labourers at the construction site. Failing to meet their demand, the duo abducted one of the labourers. However, their whereabouts were located not long after by the police. The motorcycle (NL07E 9248) they were riding was intercepted at the Padumpukhri junction by a team from East Police Station. But on seeing the khaki-clad men, they ran resulting in an hour-long chase. During the chase, however, one
managed to give the flip. The one arrested was identified as Gihuka Ayemi (21). One .32 calibre pistol was confiscated from his possession, while the bike used by the duo was also impounded. The abducted labourer was rescued.
Two held for extortion In an unrelated incident on January 18, two men were arrested for extortion. According to the police, the duo was forcibly collecting money from truck drivers. The Special Operations Team of the Dimapur police, which was were conducting routine security frisking, came across the duo at a spot located between Zani and Toluvi villages and were arrested. They were identified by the police as Samuel Assumi (27), and Kekhevi Zhimomi (28), both reported to be “SS RSA of the NSCNIM.” Rs. 3855 in cash alongwith an array of taxation slips were confiscated from the duo.
Union Ministers
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 21 (MExN): Nagaland state Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio today apprised the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Oscar Fernandez on the Foot Hill Road and the four roads under construction in the State under SARDP (NE). The CM was accompanied by Minister for Planning, TR Zeliang and Parliamentary Secretary for National Highways, Nuklutoshi. A press note from the PRO, Nagaland House, Delhi, informed that the CM stressed on the need to complete the road construction works under SARDP (NE) at the earliest. The Union Minister was also apprised on the need to start the four laning of NH – 29 from Dimapur to Kohima at the earliest time. The delegation also stated that NH – 02 from Kohima – Wokha - Mokokchung needs to be improved, as it runs through the middle of Nagaland State and is the road on which the State is most dependent. Later, the CM along with the Minister for Planning called on the Civil Aviation Minister, Ajit Singh and urged him to address the poor air connectivity in the State. The CM urged Singh to arrange for daily ATR flights from Dimapur to Gwahati and from Dimapur to Calcutta. The CM also requested for a review of the Chethu Airport Project. The note informed that regarding this issue, the Union Minister has directed officials to send a survey team immediately.
infra dev before 12th FYP
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 21 (PTI): Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today assured chief ministers of north eastern states to accomplish infrastructure projects in the region before 12th Five Year Plan (201217) and discussed how to expand universal health care. “We have indicated that we are putting up various mechanisms to make sure what we said (on infrastructure projects). And by the end of 12th plan would get achieved. This meeting is a really separate meeting. I wanted to discuss with them their ideas how to expand universal health care,” Ahluwalia told reporters after a meeting with the chief ministers at Yojana Bhawan. Ahluwalia said this was an exploratory meeting to look at their ideas and trying to develop them further on expanding health care in the region. “So we will have other meetings with them,” he added. In the morning, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had called a meeting with
the chief ministers of north eastern states and directed the Planning Commission to set up a committee with representatives from the region and improve coordination for development of infrastructure. At the meeting with chief ministers of the north eastern states, the Prime Minister said Centre view infrastructure development in the region as a key element in the strategy for developing the region and increasing connectivity with the rest of the country. The meeting was organised by the Planning Commission which is the nodal agency initiating and monitoring developmental work in northeast region. Chief Minister of Meghalaya Mukul Sangma, who was one of the attendees, said there was a discussion on healthcare delivery system and leveraging the universal healthcare programme. “We discussed about our health delivery system and ensure that the better health care facility prevail across the region. Lots of ideas are being discussed,” Sangma said.
India asked to end violence ‘look forward with one vision’ against women, minorities Our Correspondent
Khuza Town | January 21
NEW YORK, JANUARY 21 (IANS): The Indian government’s inability to protect women and children from rape and sexual violence undermines its commitment to uphold the rights of all Indians, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday. During 2013, the authorities also failed to enforce laws that protect vulnerable communities including Dalits, religious minorities and tribal groups, it said in its World Report 2014. Government efforts to increase mass surveillance raised concerns over rights to privacy and free speech, it said. In the 667-page world report, its 24th edition, Human Rights Watch reviewed human rights practices in more than 90 countries. India has strong legislation to protect rights, Human Rights Watch said, but entrenched corruption and
lack of accountability foster human rights violations. The civil society groups, which play a crucial advocacy role in addressing these problems through protests and free expression, were increasingly at risk due to misused sedition laws and financial regulations. In April, India rolled out a Central Monitoring System for all phone and Internet communications, which rights groups fear could lead to abuse in the absence of adequate oversight or safeguards for the right to privacy, the report said. The courage and persistence of victims’ families and human rights activists did result in court interventions and investigations in several cases of extrajudicial killings in which the security forces had falsely claimed that the deaths occurred during armed exchanges. In the run-up to the
2014 parliamentary elections, there was an increase in communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims, Human Rights Watch said. “There is risk of additional violence as political interest groups seek to exploit tensions between the two communities.” Maoist insurgents in central and eastern India continued to attack civilians and security forces while villagers were at risk of arbitrary arrests and torture by state forces. Maoists continued to attack schools and government security forces occupied school buildings for operations in violation of court orders. Internationally, India engaged in efforts to promote human rights in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Myanmar but did little to address the crises outside of South Asia, such as in Syria, the report said.
Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) and Parliamentary Affairs, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu today said that the influx of illegal immigrants has occurred for almost half a century and cautioned the Naga people and the government against taking this issue lightly. Speaking at the 67th general conference of the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) here, the Minister challenged the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to take up this issue and call for a consultative meeting to discuss ways in tackling it. The Minister expressed hope that the government would take up this issue for a threadbare discussion with all the NGOs and student organizations. On the other hand, the Minister asserted that the best and shortest way to tackle the influx of illegal immigrant is upholding the
Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) and Parliamentary Affairs, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu speaking at the 67th CSU general conference on January 21.
dignity of labour. He said that “if all odd jobs are allowed to be occupied by all people, then the influx will never stop. But if we take up all challenges and if we take up all odd jobs, then everyone will walk away and the influx problem will be solved.” The Minister said that another pressing concern is the number of proxy
teachers and the practice of acquiring false certificates for government jobs. Azo called upon the NSF and CSU to submit a representation to the government on this issue. On the part of the government, he assured that it would penalize the people who purchase or produce false certificates for government jobs. Naga Students’ Federa-
tion (NSF) president, Tongpang Ozukum touched on the influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and stated, “If we do not realize the danger and act in time, tomorrow no matter how much we regret; it will be too late to fight back.” Stating that it is not the duty of the government alone to check the influx of illegal immigrants, he called upon the common people and students organizations to play a role in addressing the issue. He further urged the state government to seriously monitor and check the influx of illegal immigrants. Later CSU President, Thupukutho Lohe challenged the students to continue working with a spirit of hard work, perseverance and march on with the spirit of unity. He also hoped that the 67th general conference would “be a moment to root out the drawbacks and look forward with one vision.”
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