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www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 82
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www.morungexpress.com
Wednesday, March 26, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
Language no longer a barrier
Implementation of NUHM in Dimapur discussed [ PAGE 2]
Novel analysis helped narrow MH370 search
[ PAGE 11]
[ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 8]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
ACAUT visits Mon, Longleng DIMaPUr, March 25 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation Nagaland tour team held public meetings at Mon and Longleng on March 24 and 25 respectively. The meetings were held as a part of the team’s ongoing tour across Nagaland. In Mon, the team met the Konyak Union, Konyak Students Union, MCCI, women organisations, church leaders and the public. A press note informed that the tribal leaders, civil society and Mon Chamber of Commerce and Industries “conveyed its unflinching support for the ACAUT movement and on One Government One Tax.” In Longleng, the team met the Phom’s People’s Council, Phom Students’ Conference, Longleng town colony ward chairmen, GBs Association of Longleng District, several chairmen of Longleng villages and LCCI. The press note said that “Phom leaders assured their full support for the ACAUT movement and on One Government One Tax.” “Phom leaders also requested the ACAUT to highlight the trend of village councils and apex tribal hohos endorsing individuals wishing to join the different factions. Such endorsements encourage factionalism and goes against the very grain of One Government One Tax, rued the leaders,” according to the ACAUT Nagaland press note. It further informed that student leaders requested the ACAUT Nagaland to hold rallies in all the districts of Nagaland.
–Denzel Washington
India’s top court orders cricket boss to step down [ PAGE 10]
WHo: Air pollution kills 7 What issues for ne million people every year region this election?
I was denied the party ticket because I didn’t generate enough controversy for the party.
FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 file photo, children wearing masks walk home after school in Beijing, China. Air pollution kills about 7 million people worldwide every year according to a new report from the World Health Organization published Tuesday, March 25. The agency said air pollution triggers about 1 in 8 deaths and has now become the single biggest environmental health risk, ahead of other dangers like second-hand smoke. (AP Photo)
LONDON, March 25 (aP): Air pollution kills about 7 million people worldwide every year, with more than half of the fatalities due to fumes from indoor stoves, according to a new report from the World Health Organization published Tuesday. The agency said air pollution is the cause of about one in eight deaths and has now become the single biggest environmental health risk. “We all have to breathe, which makes pollution very hard to avoid,” said Frank Kelly, director of the environmental research group at King’s College London, who was not part of the WHO report.
One of the main risks of pollution is that tiny particles can get deep into the lungs, causing irritation. Scientists also suspect air pollution may be to blame for inflammation in the heart, leading to chronic problems or a heart attack. WHO estimated that there were about 4.3 million deaths in 2012 caused by indoor air pollution, mostly people cooking inside using wood and coal stoves in Asia. WHO said there were about 3.7 million deaths from outdoor air pollution in 2012, of which nearly 90 percent were in developing countries. But WHO noted that many people are exposed
to both indoor and outdoor air pollution. Due to this overlap, mortality attributed to the two sources cannot simply added together, hence WHO said it lowered the total estimate from around 8 million to 7 million deaths in 2012. The new estimates are more than double previous figures and based mostly on modeling. The increase is partly due to better information about the health effects of pollution and improved detection methods. Last year, WHO’s cancer agency classified air pollution as a carcinogen, linking dirty air to lung and bladder cancer. WHO’s report noted
women had higher levels of exposure than men in developing countries. “Poor women and children pay a heavy price from indoor air pollution since they spend more time at home breathing in smoke and soot from leaky coal and wood cook stoves,” Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant DirectorGeneral for family, women and children’s health, said in a statement. Other experts said more research was needed to identify the deadliest components of pollution in order to target control measures more effectively. “We don’t know if dust from the Sahara is as bad as diesel fuel or burning coal,” said Majid Ezzati, chair in global environmental health at Imperial College London. Kelly said it was mostly up to governments to curb pollution levels, through measures like legislation, moving power stations away from big cities and providing cheap alternatives to indoor wood and coal stoves. He said people could also reduce their individual exposure to choking fumes by avoiding traveling at rush hour or by taking smaller roads. Despite the increasing use of face masks in heavily polluted cities such as Beijing and Tokyo, Kelly said there was little evidence that they work. “The real problem is that wearing masks sends out the message we can live with polluted air,” he said. “We need to change our way of life entirely to reduce pollution.”
Newmai News Network Guwahati | March 25
Many intellectuals and prominent figures of the North East region perceive the ensuing Lok Sabha election as a usual exercise by political parties and politicians in fooling people. In whirlwind interviews conducted by the Newmai News Network across the North East region, most intellectuals approached were not enthusiastic about commenting. They were all asked the same question: what should be the priorities of the political parties or candidates pertaining to the North East region? Most commentators seemed lethargic to the whole electioneering process, saying things will remain the same. Dr. Malem Ningthouja, a New Delhi based activist and research scholar from Manipur, said there was no point telling political parties or politicians what they should do and what they should not as these politicians will forget the people’s sentiments after the elections. However, Dr. Ningthouja said his only wish is that political parties or politicians encourage the people to democratically fight the ongoing neo-
liberal exploitation in the name of development by the government. “Once this happens then this big world order will be free from subjugation, operation and exploitation in the name of national security,” Dr. Ningthouja said. Dr. AC Bhagavati, former vice chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, expressed concern on the alleged lack of focus on the North East region by the Central government. He said DoNER is there but that is not enough. According to Dr. Bhagavati,
Express, Samudragupta Kashyap, said connectivity should be improved in the region. He would like the ruling, and opposition alike, to address the pathetic condition of roads, rails and airways in the North East region. He also said infrastructure on the education front should not be neglected by politicians. Noted intellectual from Nagaland, Niketu Iralu, expressed a similar view to Kashyap. Iralu wanted road conditions of the North East region to be brought up to a “decent level.” He stated that immigration of people from Bangladesh should be checked immediately; that if this is not done urgently, the situation is soon to explode, which will be catastrophic. Vote bank politics is one factor for this immigration problem, he observed. Celebrated singer Lou Majaw from Shillong had a different view. He remained concerned about the pollution level, which, he said, should be addressed by politicians as an urgent issue. Another area of concern expressed by Lou Majaw was price rise. He said, today the common people are suffering due to ever rising prices of essential commodities and wanted politicians to check this trend.
‘Today the common people are suffering due to ever rising prices of essential commodities’ there is a general colonial perception of the North East region saying there is no genuine concern by the government for the North East region. Another area of regret, expressed Dr. Bhagavati, is the level of corruption from the lowest level to the top. Former advisor of North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), Artax Shimray, said there should be good governance that delivers services to the people. He said rights enshrined in the constitution must be ensured to the people. Guwahati based senior journalist from The Indian
5 arrested for abduction, murder ‘nlA sessions need more debate’
Police informed that the combed that area and loM O K O K c h U N G , were identified as ArenkaMarch 25 (MExN): ba (25), Limasangba (48), accused took the victim to cated the body at 8:45 AM Mokokchung Police, on Takutoshi (27), Nokzeng- Limasangba’s farm house, on March 25. A case has March 24, arrested five per- toshi (20) and a girl in her at Chungtia village area and been registered at Mokoksons, for the abduction and teens, whose name has was “physically assaulted chung Police Station I and with blunt objects.” He was post mortem of the body murder of one Md Nazrul, been withheld. Police ascertained then “forcibly” made to was conducted at IMDH proprietor of a pan shop, located at Alongmen Ward, that Arenkaba, Takutoshi, “sign a confession that he Mokokchung. The body Mokokchung. A press note Nokzengtoshi and the un- had put the love charm in has been handed over to from the Mokokchung SP named teenager had com- the pan.” Later they took the relatives of the deceased informed that on March 24, mitted the abduction be- him to Limasangba’s house and further investigation is in progress, informed police the victim was abducted at cause, according to them, at Yimyu ward. However, on arrival, the Meanwhile the Mokokaround 2:30 pm from his the victim had allegedly “put a love charm in the victim had already passed chung Chamber of Comresidence at Penli Ward. Subsequently, the DIB pan which he then sold to away. The accused then merce and Industries had and Mokokchung police the female teenager” on disposed the body some written to the Mokokchung conducted a search opera- March 17. The accused al- three to four kilometers Deputy Commissioner, on tionandarrestedfivepersons leged that this had “affect- in between Khensa and Tuesday, demanding thored” the girl “mentally and Chungtia villages. ough investigation of the at 10:30 pm, the same day. A police search party murder. MOKOKchUNG, The arrested persons physically.” March 25 (MExN): The Superintendent of Police, Mokokchung has cautioned the public that there have been a number of fraudulent/cheating cases, through the internet, in MoMorung Express News It will be followed with Longleng, committee and P. Imty Ao. kokchung district. A press Queried on the legal implicaMon and Dimapur sectors. Dimapur | March 25 note from the SP informed The plan is to first lay out a mo- tions, it was explained that the conthat the conmen befriends The Nagaland Foothill Road Coor- torable road, atleast 20 feet wide, tractor and the PWD (Roads and the victims through social dination Committee (NFHRCC) followed by expansion of an ad- Bridges) already have an agreemedia. After earning the visited the Wokha sector on March ditional 20 feet and subsequently, ment with the NFHRCC, which victim’s trust, the conmen, 25, where work on the foothill road black-topping. was not honoured. The Chief Enunder the pretext of sendis ongoing. Termed as a trip to win Out of the Rs. 40 crores sancgineer of R & B had stated at the ing them gift parcels conthe trust as well as boost the mo- tioned for the first phase of the March 11 meeting that the Wokha taining laptops and smartrale of the people of the area, the foothill road, work on the Wokha contractors starting work without phones etc, asks the victims NFRHCC visited three villages - sector will require an estimated Rs. the department’s knowledge, the to deposit money in certain accounts in order to reMekirang, Liphi, and Old Roni, 17 crores. The Wokha sector runs NFHRCC said. The Chief Minister, lease the gift parcels, which and inspected progress at specific a total of 62 kms, out of which 27 the Home Minister and the departhave been seized by airport locations. kms was sublet to Wokha District ment has assured to do the needful customs officials. The SP The NFHRCC expressed sat- Class I Contractors Union. The in this regard, it was added. informed that there have isfaction at the work executed by NFHRCC’s objection notwith“Competent contractors ought been cases where victims contractor, P. Imty Ao so far. 80 per- standing, the Wokha contractors not to execute the work without pay huge sums of money cent of the 35-kilometer stretch are continuing work on the 27 work order,” the NFHRCC said. On but the parcels never reach leased to P. Imty is complete. The km stretch sublet to them, on the the allegations and counter allegathem. He urged the public contractor is expected to complete ground that P. Imty had entered tions, the NFHRCC commented, not to be lured into these ofthe areas assigned to him by April. into an agreement with them. The “In order to accomplish this exfers received through SMS, In the Mokokchung sector, NFHRCC however reiterated that traordinary project, we have to put phone calls and other intersome 3.7 kms of earth cutting has it will not accept the said agree- in extraordinary effort, shoulder net facilities. The public has been requested to immedibeen completed while work order ment. It maintained to only stand extraordinary responsibility and ately report to the police if for the Yajang segment is awaited. by the agreement between the accept extraordinary blame.” they receive such offers.
Mkg SP cautions against conmen
NFHRCC on goodwill visit to Wokha sector
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My faith helps me understand that circumstances don’t dictate my happiness, my inner peace does I am sad about Gujarat riots, but have no guilt: Modi in biography
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Nagaland economy in real bad shape coupled with rising unemployment and inflation at its peak: MLA Khekaho Morung Express News Kohima | March 25
He may be a new face in the portals of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, but first-time MLA, Khekaho Assumi, refuses to remain a “passive listener” in the House during assembly sessions. The Congress legislator, representing 31 Akuluto assembly seat, is emerging as one of the most vocal, among the dozen new legislators representing the younger generation. “I believe there should be more debates and active participation in assembly sessions. What is the point of attending assemblies if one were to remain a passive listener to the list of achievements of the government?” Khekaho said in an interview after the House was adjourned sine die on Monday. “The assembly proceedings are okay but sometimes I feel that the members (ruling and opposition) are always trying to behave in their best manners, as if at the end of the day, our legislative assembly would win the first prize for decency and decorum,” the opposition legislator said on a lighter note. Khekaho also is of the view that assembly sessions would prove a futile exercise if media focus is only on the “achievements and replies” of the govern-
MLA, Khekaho Assumi
ment, sidelining the issues raised and charges leveled by the opposition. Khekaho who took part in the debate on motion of thanks to the Governor’s address on March 22 last, had ridiculed the government for terming the visits of President of India, Prince Andrew and the Princess of Thailand to Nagaland as big achievements. “In the debate, I told the House that if the state government considers these visits as big achievements, then I will not be surprised if in the next year’s Governor’s address, the government terms staging of ‘Amar Circus’ in Kohima as another big achievement”, Khekaho said. “I also told the House the public distribution system (PDS) in the state has totally failed the common man and essential commodities which are supposed to reach the common man are all land-
ing in the godowns of the Marwaris in Dimapur”, the Congress legislator said. In the debate, Khekaho also alleged that the UPA flagship programme MNREGA which was supposed to change the lives of the common and needy people had not benefitted the targeted people at all, as the programme was implemented in paper only. Further, he alleged that infrastructure all over Nagaland state was in a ramshackle and dilapidated condition and that though quality works were not executed; money was being paid to the contractors even without actual work being done. In the debate, Khekaho also said he was critical of the state quality monitoring board and questioned its existence. He argued that ministers and parliamentary secretaries concerned should be on the “ground” to monitor and implement works as per guidelines and to keep officials on their toes. The opposition MLA, in this regard, acknowledged the Roads & Bridges minister for personally supervising and monitoring road construction and repairing works in Dimapur and other districts. “I summed up by stating that Nagaland was in a state of stagflation where the economy was in real bad shape coupled with rising unemployment and inflation at its peak”, Khekaho said.
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