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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 109
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Opposition attacking my husband for political gains: Priyanka [ PAGE 8]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
www.morungexpress.com
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If you command wisely, you’ll be obeyed cheerfully Richard Gere is dating Padma Lakshmi
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Thomas Fuller
Peace Tour on Bikes: Promoting peace in four different states [ PAGE 2]
Acts of bravery emerge from pilloried ship crew
[ PAGE 11]
Moyes exits from United
[ PAGE 12]
[ PAGE 9]
women and children Border row continues: Are secure in nagaland state? 30 houses burned down Morung Express news Dimapur | April 22
mmh..Very good. Tell your father he is improving!
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Do present Naga leaders have the ability and capacity to lead the people towards a shared future? no
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State Vigilance takes Engineer into custody Morung Express news Dimapur | April 22
A government official, an engineer, deputed to the Nagaland University (NU) by a department of the Government of Nagaland, was taken into custody this morning from NU’s Lumami campus by a joint team of the Nagaland Police and the Nagaland State Vigilance Commission. Sources informed that the raid, which was conducted from 4:00am of April 22, saw the official’s house being cordoned off, and mobile phone along with other items seized. The official was escorted out of the Lumami campus by a team of the Akuloto police, then handed over to the Wokha police, from where the State Vigilance team from Kohima took the official to the State capital, informed sources. When contacted, officials of the State Vigilance Commission and the Wokha police did not deny the report, but declined to provide any further details on the reasons behind today’s chain of events.
KU not to attend NP&NG meeting
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MON, APRIL 22 (MExN): The Konyak Union (KU) has decided not to attend the proposed NP&NG (Nagaland Petroleum & Natural Gas) meeting which is scheduled for April 23 at Kohima for the Mon District Zone. This was decided at its Advisory Board meeting on April 21, and informed to the press through a release from KU president S. Manlip Konyak and general secretary Y. Hosea Konyak. The KU reiterated that “the responsible Government & Chairman of NP&NG did not respond to the memorandum of Konyak Union Vide letter No. KU/GEN36/NP&NG/2013-15 dated Mon the 14/10/2013” which was submitted to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and the then Chairman of the NP&NG for rectification of the NP&NG Regulations and Rules 2012 before any MoU is made between the parties.
Chairperson, Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR), Meilemla Pongener, has said “public awareness” can be part of an overall approach to preventing child abuse and neglect. “We need to develop an effective child abuse prevention message as well as effective public awareness activities and programmes. By effective planning and newsworthy activities, communities can help to promote healthy parenting practices, child safety skills and protocols for reporting suspected maltreatment,” the NSCPCR chairperson said. Addressing the first foundation day of Nagaland Alliance for Child Rights (NACR) here at Miqlat Ministry on Tuesday, Meilemla, reflected on NACR’s motto ‘Safer Nagaland for women and children’ and posed a question: “Are we safe, both women and children in Nagaland? Are we safe in our own land? If we are not safe in our own land, how can we expect safety in the mainland or in other states?” She added, “Everyday we see violation of rights of women and children –rights enshrined in Constitution of India.” She said in the past Naga society, women and children played a very important role, especially in economic and social activities, and in return men folk protected them from enemies. But with the vast advancement of technology and science in the present day, lifestyles and social structures have undergone drastic changes even in Naga society and so “every day we see one or the other dreadful thing happening in our society, which were not the issues” in the by-gone days, she said. “Even as we work to bring justice in child abuse cases, which are becoming rampant with the changing of times, one very important aspect that we must focus on is prevention,” the NSCPCR chairperson said. Meilemla also reminded women that whenever “we talk about protection of
child rights, we as women are a part of it, since every child is from a mother-a woman. And I feel that we as mothers and women should play a very important roles to protect our rights.” President, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Hukheli Wotsa, also shared on the plight of women and children in the context of the present Naga society. Vice president NACR, NT Kikon, spoke on the issues of illegal adoption in Nagaland and NACR secretary, Liangamang Robert, presented the activities of NACR since its formation a year back. Renowned Naga musician Alobo Naga presented a special number on the occasion followed by a special song and choreography from kids of ‘Canaan House of Hope.’ Earlier, NACR president, NK Keny, delivered the welcome address.
Nagaland Alliance for Child Rights calls for developing effective public awareness
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The scene at Dikoi village (Assam-nagaland border) on April 22 after at least 30 houses in the village were burned down.
Morung Express news Dimapur | April 22
Tension over land continues to simmer in the disputed Dimapur-Karbi Anglong border. Fresh trouble erupted on April 22 as at least 30 houses were torched and gun firing occurred at Dikoi village, which is located in the disputed western periphery of Dimapur. There was, however, no report of any human casualty. The day’s violence was allegedly triggered by gunshots that originated from Dikoi.
Dikoi inhabitants highlight “inactive stance” of Nagaland Government According to the inhabitants of Dikoi, Assam Police personnel started firing in the direction of the village at around 1:10pm, Tuesday. The shooting lasted for over an hour. The Assam Police personnel along with the CRPF then swooped down on the village from the south and started torching houses,
the inhabitants said. It calmed after the Dimapur police intervened. The Assam Police, however, maintained that they retaliated after they were fired upon by the inhabitants. A Maruti Gypsy (NL 07 7276) was also confiscated and taken away. The Assam Police alleged that the shots fired by the inhabit-
ants came from the vehicle. The Dikoi inhabitants refuted the allegation stating they did not resort to any gun firing. They further expressed dismay over the Nagaland government’s inactive stance on the prevailing border row with the Assam Police. Today’s was the sixth shooting incident in the vicinity of Dikoi since March 21. The inhabitants of Dikoi asserted that they were the targets in all the shootings. Dikoi is located in a small hillock sloping into a south-west direction.
Stop ‘illegal adoptions’ in hospitals: NACR Nagaland Alliance for Child Rights (NACR) has urged the immediate intervention of Nagaland State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NSCPCR) into rampant illegal adoptions taking place in both government and private hospitals in Nagaland by serving notice to stop giving infants for adoptions from hospitals. NACR, in a representation to chairperson NSCPCR, stated that such practices not only violate the best interest of the child in the process of adoption but is also a direct violation of Government of India rules on Adoption, which is punishable under Section 370 IPC with imprisonment of not less than 7 years but may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to fine. NACR said the notice may also be published in local newspapers. The alliance also called upon NSCPCR to disseminate information on legal adoption to the general public through publicity in all forms of mass media/print media to stop all illegal adoptions outside licensed specialized adoption agencies. Further, NACR also appealed for effective implementation of ICPS schemes in Nagaland, setting up of an observation home in Dimapur for Dimapur district and, a special home for children affected/infected by HIV.
blast in Naga women’s groups speak ne reeling under heat wave Grenade Dimapur, 1 injured out on violence against women KOHIMA/SENAPATI, APRIL 22 (MExN): The ever-growing rate of crimes against women in Naga society has yet again drawn the ire of Naga women organizations, which have urged law enforcing agencies to ensure befitting punishment, and the society to imbibe a sense of morality, responsibility and discipline. The Naga Women’s Union (NWU) and the Indigenous Women’s Forum for North-East India (IWFNEI) in a joint statement today condemned acts of gender insensitivity, atrocities and disrespect of women in society. Rampant violence against women, they stated, has reached an “alarming level.” The two women’s bodies cited the examples of the “rape” of a minor girl by Povetso at Mohonkhola, Kohima on April 13, rape of minor girl by S. Ngaopuni (65) of Poumai Colony at Koirengei Hills, Imphal on April 17, rape and assault of a woman (43) by Waikhom Saratkumar (45) in Thoubal on April 14, rape of minor girl of Sora Mayai Leikai, abducted and raped by Md. Rahman alias Namba (22) of Sangai Humpham Cherapur, and a case of trafficking which came to light when an inmate (minor) of Grace Academy, Hamleikhong in Ukhrul District, escaped from the clutches of alleged traffickers while her younger sister in class V is still believed to be in the custody of traffickers. “These incidents of evil acts have shocked our collective conscience and it is an indication of how inhumane one can become,” stated the
NWU and IWFNEI. They appealed to “every sensible person” to denounce these violent acts and “cooperate in rooting out social evils and urge law enforcing agencies to award befitting punishment to the culprits as per the law of the land and promptly trace and rescue the missing minor girl from the kidnappers.” The two women’s organizations also encouraged that “a sense of morality, responsibility, discipline and God fearing is duly imparted in the families, schools, Churches, institutions, etc to eradicate such violence and cruel acts against Women.” Meanwhile, the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) today condemned in the “strongest term” the “brutal and senseless murder” of a woman on April 17 in Dimapur, as well as the alleged rape of a minor girl in Kohima. “Such unethical, monstrous and most inhuman crime should be seriously investigated and punished in its severest manner so that it don’t happen again,” stated the NMA in a press release from its president Abei-u Meru and secretary, Lochumbeni Humtsoe. “Violent crimes against women have been re-occuring in our society and just verbal condemnation is not enough. Unless law takes strict action and creates a sense of fear in people, such sad incidents will continue to happen,” it said, also appealing and demanding for the law enforcing agencies to “ensure that the perpetrators are given the strictest punishment possible.”
GUWAHATI, APRIL 22 (PTI): Guwahati is reeling under heat wave condition recording an above normal maximum temperature of 40.1 degrees Celsius since Monday when it was the highest in the last 15 years forcing people to remain indoors to avoid the sizzling heat. Regional Meteorology Centre sources on Tuesday said the 40.1 degrees C temperature was due to westerly hot winds from the Gangetic plains in the lower atmosphere with no moisture feed from the Bay of Bengal to trigger rainfall. Guwahati had for the first time experienced such a temperature on April 17, 1999 recording heat wave conditions of above 40 degrees C maximum temperature and five degrees above normal temperature, the sources said. Guwahati’s normal temperature at this time of year is an average 31 degree C, they said. With Assam experiencing hot weather condition, the sources said the mercury was rising also in the NE region with little change in the weather forecast for the next two days.
For hydration under the scorching sun, people are heading for aerated cold drinks, ice-creams, fruit and sugarcane juice, tender coconut water and other cooling beverages giving brisk business to the vendors of these items. The prevailing power cuts and unscheduled load shedding in Assam is also adding to the woes of the people here not normally used to such a high temperature. This prompted chief minister Tarun Gogoi to review the prevailing power position and direct the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) to take immediate steps to meet the shortfall of power. APDCL Chairman Rajiv Yadav apprised Gogoi that due to drought-like conditions prevailing in the northeast, Assam is not receiving adequate power from the hydro power generating stations of Ranganadi, Kopili, Khandong, Doyang, Loktak and others due to low water level in the reservoirs creating a shortfall of about 275 MW.
Morung Express news Dimapur | April 22
Jasokie Market came under attack for a second time in less than a month after unidentified assailants lobbed a grenade inside the marketing complex located at GS Road, injuring one person. The incident occurred at 7-7:30 pm, Tuesday. According to the police, the explosive landed at the back of the building and exploded. One man, identified only as Ranjan and said to be a cook, sustained shrapnel wounds. The injury was not life threatening, it was informed. Though an unrequited monetary demand was suspected to be behind the attack, police said that the targeted business establishment denied receiving any ransom demands. Meanwhile, President of Rice Miller’s Association, Zheito Chophy, has condemned the incident, and urged the authorities to “nab the miscreants and award stringent punishment.”
Demand for early creation of ‘north eastern Province’ NEW DELHI, APRIL 22 (MExN): The North Eastern Province Demand Committee (NEPDC) has submitted a “reminder memorandum” to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, for the “early creation of North Eastern Province.” This was stated in a press release from convenor of the NEPDC, Abon Kamei, who went to New Delhi on April 21 to submit this memorandum, also to Sushil Kumar Shinde, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Paban Singh Ghatowar, Union Min-
ister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North East Region (DONER). The NEPDC stated that it “strongly believes that the creation of North Eastern Province by amending the Constitution of India and giving maximum autonomy to the region will pave way for all round developments of one of the most neglected regions of the country and also lessen the burden of the Central Government for day today administrative works.” The NEPDC projected that the “North East-
ern Province may be given full autonomy for all the affairs of administration, law and order and other developmental activities in the region. The Central Government may retain power pertaining to only foreign affairs, defence, currency, communication etc.” The incorporation of such a special provision in the Constitution of India and establishment of a North Eastern Province, stated the NEPDC, “will safeguard the rights of the indigenous people of the region and they will be the masters
and proprietors of their land and resources.” It believed that this method would address the “genuine interest and aspiration of the people living in North Eastern Region” in a meaningful manner, as well as maintain the Government of India’s “interest” in “unity and integrity” of the country. Kamei mentioned that this is the third reminder to the Government of India since the first memorandum was submitted to Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2011 for creation of a North Eastern Province.
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