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Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 51
The Morung Express
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www.morungexpress.com
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A person of knowledge lives by acting, not by thinking about acting
Sharad Pawar takes U-turn, slams Modi for Gujarat riots [ PAGE 8]
Obama meets with Dalai Lama, upsetting China
Hepatitis C- An emerging epidemic: HepCoN [ PAGE 2]
WHY THE CHURCH IS IMPORTANT [ PAGE 7]
[ PAGE 9]
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Sunday, February 23, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Carlos Castaneda
Serena upset by Cornet in Dubai semis [ PAGE 10]
raising a voice for the voiceless
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Assisi Centre celebrates Hope Day 2014 for underprivileged children Morung Express news Dimapur | February 22
You are not MPs. Please stop pushing shoving, kicking and hitting, the topup delivery truck will be here soon.
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Dimapur DFO office responds to NTTU statement
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DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 22 (MExN): The Office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Dimapur has issued a clarification with regard to what it termed as “the malicious and defamatory press release issued by the Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU),” which appeared in local dailies on Thursday. The NTTU statement had alleged malpractice in allotment of wagons by the Nagaland Forest Minister and the Dimapur DFO. In response, the DFO, Kocha Meyase, who is also the conservator of Forest (Wildlife), clarified that the Wagons are allotted by the department as per guidelines of the SIT constituted by the Supreme Court. He informed that under the guidelines farmers having registration under the Nagaland Tree Felling Regulation 2002 and registered transporter and tree farmers are considered for allotment of wagon, provided, they clear all state government dues. He added that registered transporters and tree farmers are considered for wagon allotment when their timber is converted from an HPC Cleared Unit; thereafter, screening and physical verification of the converted timber in the HPC Unit is done for final allotment of wagon. “As such, without confirming to the guidelines, the question of depriving the Naga tree farmers and plantation owners of their rights does not arise,” it stated. It further termed allegations that the DFO had handed over collected money to the Forest Minister as “false, defamatory and malicious.” It added that the authorization for allotment of wagon given to the DFO Dimapur was done by the Government, a month after the alleged transaction of money. The note then informed that the department had earlier allotted some wagons to some members of the NTTU. However, according to the note, the allottees failed to meet the required criteria, “thereby resulting in lapse of such allotted Wagons and causing a loss to government revenue.” It therefore urged any aggrieved party/parties to approach the DFO, Dimapur during office hours “so as to clarify the matter before going to the press.”
Some little girls and a not-so-little boy donned folded up lungis and goggles on the stage of Assisi Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur, stirring up the audience with their ‘Lungi Dance.’ They and many more, who performed at the Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) organized Hope Day 2014, are from underprivileged backgrounds, most of them landing up as labour instead of in a school. Hundreds of such children, mostly from Assam or eastern Nagaland, serve as ‘domestic help’ in Naga houses. But till date, their work remains unrecognized in Nagaland as a form of child labour. There exists no State policy for child rights. Based on the theme ‘creating space for children,’ Hope Day was organized on February 22 to reiterate the need for safety and protection of children under the directorship of Sister Therese Vanlalhruaii, who has played a key role in bringing education, hope and guidance to children domestic workers, and children of domestic workers in Nagaland. One such child, Sazia Begum, while presenting an appeal to the Nagaland State Child Protection Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna, left, and Santi Cazorla, right, fight for the ball with Sunderland’s Fabio Borini, during their English Premier League soc- Society (NSCPS) noted, “Many of our brothers and sisters are cer match, at Emirates Stadium, in London on February 22. (AP Photo)
Children’s appeal to the Society Director, Nagaland State Child Protection Society: • • • • • •
We appeal to you that State Child Protection Society put up big hoardings on child rights in strategic places, on highways, schools and in Church campus. Child rights awareness to all the colonies, Gaonbura and Chairman and forming child protection committees in all the colonies by village Gaonbura and village council through District Child Protection initiative. State Policy on Child Rights at the earliest. Let there be total ban of child labour especially in the form of domestic work, illegal adoption. Let there be schools properly run and manage so that our brothers and sisters are not denied of education from the warmth of their homes and loved ones. We appeal to you that the Government must make sure that every child in Nagaland has rights that are listed in the rights of the children.
brought to homes for education but what do they receive? They are denied education, some are in government schools while some of them never see books but brooms and sticks. Many of them continue to suffer knowing well that our parents are poor, they have no power of knowledge, money..they have no means to defend our rights.” Hope for these children means “to reach out safety, protection, shelter, healthcare, nutrition, education, rehabilitation and a family for life.” “This Hope Day is an attempt to give them their childhood—to raise our voice for the voiceless,” said Sister Therese in her address to the audience of children, parents and other well-wishers. She
pointed out that India was one of the first signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that are interdependent and indivisible, and enshrine some of the minimum inalienable rights and freedoms that a child below the age of 18 should enjoy regardless of race, gender, language, religion, opinion, origins, wealth, status and ability. Given the condition of children in India, and Nagaland, these rights remain unfulfilled dreams. Why? Sister Milly Fernandes, Provincial Superior, Ursuline Franciscan Sister, North East, quoted Pope Francis to point to the “globalization of indifference.” “We are no longer attentive to the world in which
we live; we don’t care; we don’t protect what God created for everyone, and we end up unable even to care for one another! In this globalized world, we have fallen into globalized indifference. We have become used to the suffering of others…” The NSCPS, said its Director, Khehoto Sema, is attempting to reverse some of that through its policies and programs. “Having domestic helpers has become a fashion and ego in Nagaland. The department has asked ENPO to have all children coming from east Nagaland registered but this has not been done yet,” highlighted Sema, who was chief guest at the program. In the meantime, the NSCPS has opened 2 special homes and 8 observation homes for children across the State. 10 districts have already been sensitized on child rights and the Juvenile Justice Act—parents have been informed that children being sent out of Nagaland should be kept in the Society’s radar. “All adoptions have to be legal. All NGOs for children have to be registered or they will be closed down,” said Sema. The Day was also attended by Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee, Dimapur, Akali Sema, and various children’s clubs and homes from Dimapur.
NSF, DNSU uncover ‘recruitment scam’ Ukraine parliament votes to oust Prez
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 22 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation and the Dimapur Naga Students Union informed that they have uncovered a recruitment scam, involving a welfare society called the ‘North East Region ExServicemen Army, Assam Rifles Welfare Society, Shillong, Meghalaya.’ NSF, in a press note, informed that the welfare society had conducted recruitment examination for both teaching and nonteaching staffs on February
22 at Dimapur and Kohima. NSF and DNSU officials inspected the examination hall in both the districts, and discovered that the proposed recruitment was done “against a non-existent school in Chimonger, Tuensang.” NSF informed that on questioning, the Managing Director of the welfare society, Sedongchem Sangtam disclosed that “they are yet to apply for the permission/recognition of this proposed school from the school education depart-
ment.” He also admitted to having contacted several students to offer him money if they want to be selected, NSF added. Apart from the examination fee, he has received Rs.1,20,000, from one aspirant candidate till the time of conducting the fake interview, according to NSF. It was informed that NSF and DNSU officials have stopped the recruitment process and have lodged an FIR. 204 candidates have applied for the 10 Hindi post and 24 assistant teacher
‘China should shed expansionist mindset’ No power on earth can snatch Arunachal from India: Modi
India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate narendra Modi addresses a gathering at a public rally in Pasighat on February 22. (AP Photo)
PASIGHAT, FEBRUARY 22 (PTI): Wading into a foreign policy issue for the first time, Narendra Modi on Saturday asked China to shed its “expansionist mindset”, making it clear that no power on earth can snatch Arunachal Pradesh from India. “China should shed its expansionist policy and forge bilateral ties with India for peace, progress and prosperity of both the nations,” the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate said addressing a
meeting here in his current election campaign. “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and will always remain so. No power can snatch it from us. People of Arunachal Pradesh didn’t come under pressure or fear of China,” he said. “I swear in the name of this soil that I will never allow the state to disappear...breakdown and to bow down,” Modi said to a thunderous applause from people gathered near the mighty Siang River. He said China should
shed its expansionist mindset because the world of today does not accept it. The entire world is moving towards development, he said. “China needs to change its stand. China should shed its expansionist mindset and adopt the plank of development. Focus is on the development all over the world,” the Gujarat Chief Minister said. Lauding the patriotic nature of the people, Modi said that because of the people, who were guarding the state as well as the country as sentinels, Arunachal remained an integral part of the country. “The people here are real patriots as they salute their counterparts with ‘Jai Hind’ and are zealously protecting the state’s territory..... They gave a befitting reply to the advancing Chinese army during 1962 and the British and several army personnel from the state also fought with Pakistan during the Kargil war,” he said. While directly referring to the January 29 murder of Arunachal Pradesh youth Nido Tania in Delhi, Modi cautioned the UPA government against underestimating the people of the state and added that it was the duty of the entire nation to protect the people and the state’s territorial integrity.
and IV grade staffs for the said recruitment. For refund of examination fee (Rs.400), candidates based in Dimapur and other districts have been requested to collect from DNSU office from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm from Monday to Friday. Candidates based in Kohima are requested to contact the federation office on Monday during office hour. NSF informed that the officer in charge of west police station has assured to register a case once the refunding process is completed.
KIEV, FEBRUARY 22 (REUTERS): The Ukrainian parliament voted to oust President Viktor Yanukovich on Saturday and set an early election for May 25, after Yanukovich abandoned the capital but refused to resign. The 450seat parliament backed the motion by 328 votes, declaring Yanukovich unable to carry out his constitutional obligations. It following mass defections from Yanukovich’s Party of Regions. Deputies stood, applauded and sang the national anthem.
Reading the motion to the chamber, speaker Oleksander Turchynov - newly appointed from the opposition benches - said Yanukovich had “abandoned his constitutional responsibilities, which threatens the functioning of the state, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”. Citing the risk of “mass violations” of the rights of the people, lawmakers endorsed the motion declaring the president had “unconstitutionally given up his responsibilities and is unable to carry out his
duties.” They set a presidential election for May 25, bringing the vote forward from March 2015. Yanukovich, who was believed to be in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, had earlier denounced what he called a “coup d’etat” after protesters peacefully took control of his Kiev offices and opulent residence 15 km (10 miles) outside the capital. In a television interview, Yanukovich said he had no intention of resigning or leaving Ukraine, and that all decisions taken by parliament on Saturday were illegal.
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