25th September 2013

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www.morungexpress.com

Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 263

The Morung Express “

www.morungexpress.com

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reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Dimapur | September 24

One held for intruding into girls’ hostel Dimapur, September 24 (mexN): A twenty-three year-old man was arrested on charges of intruding into a girls’ hostel at night in Dimapur on September 24. The man, identified as Hemantha Tamuli, hailing from Kotilbari, Jorhat, Assam, presently residing in Lengrijan, Dimapur was however overpowered by the boarders and handed over to the police on Tuesday. According to police, the man intruded into the second-floor of the hostel building located at Lengrijan, Dimapur at around 1:30 am. He then reportedly went room-by-room checking on the boarders, who were asleep. He was also reported to have inappropriately touched a few of the girls. But the girls banded together and overpowered the intruder, police added.

Ban on government building write-offs

Kohima, September 24 (Dipr): The Government of Nagaland through notification no. WH/LC1/2007-08(PT) dated September 20, 2013 has banned condemnation and writeoff of government buildings with immediate effect. No government building or land shall be allotted to any individuals or groups or organization, stated the notification. As per the notification, departments concerned for the purpose of reconstruction or construction can seek ex post-facto concurrence for write-off value of old dismantled building from the Finance department. This notification was issued by the Work and Housing department, Government of Nagaland in pursuance of the cabinet decision office memorandum No.CAB-2/2013, dated September 3, 2013.

Praful Patel to visit Nagaland

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Dimapur, September 24 (mexN): Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises and Nationalist Congress Party in charge of the North East states, Praful Patel is scheduled to arrive in Nagaland on September 29 to grace the inaugural programme for revival of the Tuli Paper Mill. While informing this in a press release, NCP Nagaland general secretary (admn), Miathou Krose added that the minister would hold a meeting with State NCP leaders on the same day at Niathu Resort, Dimapur. All NCP legislators, state officials, district presidents, frontal and executive members have been requested to attend the meeting.

Nick Carter autobiography exposes shocking drug use

–James Russell Lowell

Hindi Forthnight closing ceremony conducted [ PAGE 02]

Suu Kyi looks to Singapore as model - minus the materialism

[ PAGE 11]

Venus stuns Azarenka [ PAGE 10 ]

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Dhansiri: a briDge too far Imkong Walling

So, which party will you be joining after the...the election?

Wednesday, September 25, 2013 12+4 pages Rs. 4

The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinions

All eyes on Jaganmohan once again as he walks out of jail

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People must be wondering what is happening to the proposed bridge over Dhansiri River, at Walford, Dimapur. The new bridge, if completed, would have replaced the existing World War II era iron girder bridge, which is now rusting away. However, in all likelihood, it is not going to see the light of day any time soon as the Nagaland government is literally cornered from two sides – one, over jurisdictional control with the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and the other, a lawsuit slapped by the contractor. The contractor, who won the bid to construct the bridge, took the Nagaland state government to the District Court, Dimapur, in August 2012, citing bills amounting to more than Rs. 3 crores was due from the government. The implementing agency was the state Urban Development department. The documents indicate the lawsuit was technically a result of the state government’s apparent ignorance of conventional protocol with regard to maintenance of National Highways.

‘Jurisdictional ignorance’ stalls construction of bridge

The Aged World War II era Old Dhansiri bridge is one of Dimapur’s oldest serving structures in Nagaland. Photo by Caisii Photo

To recall the events, construction of the bridge started in March 2010 with completion time set at 24 months. The estimated cost of the project was 9.26 crores. The Union Ministry of Urban Development was to fund 90 percent of the total costs and the rest by the state government. According to a letter written by the Joint Director, Urban Development, Nagaland, an amount Rs. 294.41 lakhs was already sanctioned. The letter, dated July 2011, stated that it was the first

Five arrested for extortion, theft

Kohima, September 24 (mexN): Kohima police arrested five people in connection with two separate cases of extortion and vehicle theft on September 20 and 21. A press note from the office of the Kohima Superintendent of Police informed that on September 21, at around 12:30 pm, two persons were apprehended by the public while extorting money from shopkeepers at TCP Gate/New Market area, Kohima. It stated that Kohima North Police Station personnel arrested the two accused persons who were later identified as Velasuto Keyho, Joint Secretary (Home) for FGN (Non-Accordist) and Neingusalie Kense, Leacy for FGN (Non-Accordist). The note informed that three demand slips and one

FGN (Non-Accordist) information slip were seized from their possession. In this connection, a case has been registered in Kohima North Police Station and investigation is being taken up, stated the note. In a separate incident on September 20, a Maruti Esteem bearing registration number NL-01-8188 was stolen from Pezielietsie (Tinpatti) Kohima. On receiving information, the note said that police swung into action leading to arrest of three vehicle lifters and recovery of the stolen vehicle. In course of enquiry, the three accused persons were identified as Abeto Chishi (21), Viketo Zhimo (28) and Aron Chishi AKA Romeo/Ayeto (29). The note added that a case has been registered at Kohima North Police Station in this connection.

installment of funds. But work stopped abruptly in November 2010 after the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) raised objection over jurisdictional authority. By that time, almost a third of the work was said to have been complete with the contractor investing over 3 crores at the site. The BRO’s objection came on the grounds that the proposed bridge is part of NH 29 (formerly 39) and hence comes under the jurisdictional sphere of

the MoRTH. Its stand was that the state government should have acquired approval of the MoRTH, since the bridge is part of a national highway. It was apparent that the Nagaland state government was of the impression that the bridge fell under the state PWD (Roads& Bridges) after NH 29 was diverted via Burma Camp. “… The Urban Development Department of the State had, out of ignorance, submitted a project for construction of double lane RCC T-Beam

Bridge over Dhansari river at Dimapur replacing the old bridge amounting to Rs. 981.36 Lakhs, without knowing that the bridge was part of NH 39,” read one letter written to the Secretary, MoRTH, New Delhi by the state government. The letter, dated June 2012, further stated that the project was accorded sanction by the Union Ministry of Urban Development in March 2009. Sans clearance from the MoRTH, the project was stalled. In another letter dat-

ing to March 2011, the Nagaland chief minister outlined the reason why the project was taken up, while stating that the project was taken up to mitigate the problem of vehicular congestion. The letter addressed to the Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways sought approval of the Ministry. “… The state department of Urban Development managed to obtain permission to start the work from the state PWD on 18th November, 2009. Accordingly, work was

started after intimating the Border Roads Task Force.” However, the 15 BRTF through two separate letters dating to December 2010 and February 2011 asked the department of Urban Development to first obtain approval of the MoRTH, the CM stated in the letter. The Union Minister, in reply maintained that the Ministry’s responsibility, besides maintenance, is to see that all works on national highways are carried out as per prescribed norms. “I would therefore suggest that you (CM) may direct the Department of Urban Development of the State Government to foreclose the existing contract and follow the prescribed procedure.” Meanwhile, the contractor took legal recourse, seeking reimbursement. Nearly Rs. 2.3 crores was reportedly spent on laying the groundwork, while an additional 75-plus lakhs was incurred in procuring machinery before the project got stalled. The 2012 petition filed at the District Court, Dimapur has the Nagaland state government, the state Urban Development and PWD (Roads & Bridges) departments as the respondents.

Youth cycling for peace nagaland chief Minister Our Correspondent

Kohima | September 24

The “Youth Peace Cycle Rally” from Kohima to Lumding was flagged off on Tuesday at the Assam Rifles Ground in Kohima. The rally is being held under the aegis of the youth wing of Brahma Kumaris as part of the “Youth Cycle Yatra for Glorious Bharat” from 111 different places throughout India for empowering youth and establishing a value based society on the basis of non-violence. It was flagged off by Col. Prashant Kumar, CO, 19 Assam Rifles. Speaking on the occasion, Col. Kumar was appreciative of the Brahma Kumaris for initiating such an event to spread the message of peace and harmony. The objective of the rally is to establish a valued based society through righteous/virtuous youth, respecting and empowering women, non violence, national integration, healthy addiction free society, stress free living through Raj Yoga

and social development through education. Activities during the rally included an interactive talk show, lectures in colleges, youth association clubs, mass meditation, group discussion, taking up community work, public programme, multicultural activities, spiritual discourses etc. The programme in Kohima was managed by the Youth Wing of RERF & Brahma Kumaris Centre, D. Block, Kohima. The rally was formally launched by Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi in New Delhi on September 13. It will culminate on November 8. The Brahma Kumaris Institute has gained international recognition for unique preaching on matters of world peace and spirituality. It is affiliated as an NGO to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN and to UNICEF. It has been awarded a peace medal by the UN and also an international and five National Peace Messenger awards by the UN.

returns from study tour

Kohima, September 24 (mexN): Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio returned to Kohima on Tuesday after a brief study tour of Indonesia and Japan. A press note from the CM’s office informed that in Indonesia, the Chief Minister’s delegation visited several centers for skill development in the fields of arts & crafts, woodwork, agri related entrepreneurship centers, tourism industry facilities and also interacted with various personalities related to these centers. Discussions on cooperation and partnerships for joint capacity building exercises for the youth also took place, stated the note. It added that appropriate follow up actions will be initiated by the concerned departments. In Japan, the delegation visited tourism facilities, sports infrastructures, the A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima and the Peace Museum. In his message at the peace park, the Chief Minister called for world peace, understanding and mutual

cooperation and an end to all forms of violence. The CM was accompanied by Minister of Planning & Coordination and Geology & Mining, T. R. Zeliang; Minister of Industries & Commerce, Pangnyu Phom and Communications & Media Adviser to Chief Minister Abu Metha. The press note informed that the visit had the approval and clearance of the Government of India. Three entrepreneurs, namely Richard Belho, recipient of the Bamboo Innovation Award by the World Bamboo Organisation; prominent architect and conceptualist, Neingusalie Talie and his assistant V. Chase also visited Indonesia and underwent several rounds of capacity building exercises while exploring avenues for exchange and skill development programmes. The note stated that the Nagaland state government is exploring for ways to initiate skill development centers for the youth as a follow up of this initiative.

nagaland spelling bee NFHRCC sets out on route survey championship today Our Correspondent

Kohima | September 24

The stage is all set for the 2nd edition of Nagaland Spelling Bee Championship 2013 jointly organized by Fountain Club Kohima and State Council of Educational Research Training (SCERT) Nagaland from September 25 to 27 at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima. In this 2nd edition, the organizers have included two additional literary competition items- extempore and elocution, which would also herald the 50th anniversary of Nagaland statehood. The Spelling Bee championship will be conducted in two phases, the preliminary round on September 25, where 32 competitors

would be selected for the finals to be held on September 27 while the extempore and elocution contests will be held on September 26. The inaugural function will take place at 10:00 AM on September 25 with Temjen Toy, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary for Works & Housing and Home Commissioner as the chief guest. Organizing committee convenor, Shürhovol Naleo will deliver welcome address while keynote address will be delivered by SCERT director Vipralhou Kesiezie. Closing function will take place on September 27 at 4:00 PM with T. Imkonglemba Ao, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary for school education & SCERT as the guest of hon-

our. Fountain Club chairman Neizokhotuo Belho will propose words of gratitude. The champion of the Spelling Bee competition will carry a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, runners-up Rs. 30,000, third Rs. 15,000 and fourth Rs. 10,000 (they will also get trophies and citations). The first three winners in Extempore and Elocution will get cash Rs. 10000, Rs. 5000 and Rs. 3000 respectively for both events along with citations and trophies. It may be recalled that the 1st spelling bee competition in 2012 witnessed 138 participants representing 71 schools (59 private and 12 government schools) participated from the all the districts.

Dimapur, September 24 (mexN): With the October deadline drawing closer, the PWD (Roads & Bridges) and the Nagaland Foothill Road Construction Committee(NFHRCC)setout on a two-day joint route survey of the proposed ‘Foothill Road Connectivity Project’. On Tuesday, September 24, 45 representatives from the NFHRCC moved out from Dimapur to team up with R & B engineers at selected sites along the proposed road. Though the locations of the targeted sites were not disclosed, the NFHRCC team, divided into 4 groups, will visit selected sites in the Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon sectors. NFHRCC convenor, Supu Jamir, addressing the team members, described the day as a “red letter day for the Nagas.” While ex-

NFRCC survey team before embarking for the survey on September 24 in Dimapur.

tending appreciation to the Chief Minister, Roads & Bridges Minister, the ten border MLAs, Chief Secretary, Home Commissioner, Chief Engineer (R & B), “all the freedom fighters” and the landowners for making it possible, Jamir said, “It is,

in fact, the beginning of our historic journey which we were longing for the last 40 years. It was on the 1st of December 1963, we got our statehood... and eventually this year, is the year of Golden Jubilee celebration.” The project, during its

course may encounter all kinds of barriers, “But under no circumstances shall we succumb or surrender to any threats and temptations (and) we will not compromise to any form of inducement till we accomplish this mission,” he said.

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