28h January 2014

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www.morungexpress.com

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 25

The Morung Express “

www.morungexpress.com

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Our entire life - consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are

Andaman boat tragedy: Three including boat owner detained [ PAGE 8]

Queen Latifah married 33 couples at the Grammy Award [ PAGE 11]

HDR to act as policy documents for Nagaland [ PAGE 2]

Syria talks yield narrow deal, Assad ‘red line’ [ PAGE 9]

By Sandemo Ngullie

Kohima/Dimapur | January 27

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the discovery of nine dead bodies at Pachaspura, Chumukedima on January 3, has established the identities of the people suspected to be behind This is why I do not like gothe killings. A brief stateing to rural areas. ment from the State Crime Records Bureau, PHQ, KoThe Morung Express hima received today stated POLL QUESTIOn that three persons, whose Vote on www.morungexpress.com identities were not reSMS your answer to 9862574165 vealed, were arrested after the probe began. Treating Do you think that social media is being the case as sensitive, the misused in Nagaland? statement did not dwell on details, citing “Any particYes no Others ulars/ details are not disclosed at this stage due to the sensitive nature of the Valerie Trierweiler, right, the ex-first lady of French President Francois Hollande, speaks to a woman during her visit to Sion government hospital in Mumbai on January 27. A day after splitting up with Hollande, Trierweiler launched a new case, which may hamper investigation.”

Morung Express news stage in her life Sunday with a charity visit to India. (AP Photo)

Dead infant found

Gunmen kill 22 in church attack

yOLa, JanuaRy 27 (REutERs): Attackers armed with guns and explosives killed 22 people at a busy church service in a northeast Nigerian village, witnesses said on Monday, in a region where Islamist sect Boko Haram is resisting a military crackdown. They set off bombs and fired into the congregation in the Catholic church in Waga Chakawa village in Adamawa state on Sunday morning, before burning houses and taking residents hostage during a four-hour siege, witnesses said. President Goodluck Jonathan is struggling to contain Boko Haram in remote rural regions in the country’s northeast corner, where the sect first launched an uprising in 2009.

Thieves steal Pope John Paul’s blood

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ROME, JanuaRy 27 (REutERs): Thieves broke into a small church in the mountains east of Rome over the weekend and stole a reliquary with the blood of the late Pope John Paul II, a custodian said on Monday.

Franca Corrieri said she had discovered a broken window early on Sunday morning and had called the police. When they entered the small stone church they found the gold reliquary and a crucifix missing. John Paul, who died in 2005, loved the mountains in the Abruzzo region east of Rome. He would sometimes slip away from the Vatican secretly to hike or ski there and pray in the church. In 2011, John Paul’s former private secretary, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, gave the local Abruzzo community some of the late pontiff’s blood as a token of the love he had felt for the mountainous area.

–Jean Anouilh

Wawrinka still stunned he won Australian Open [ PAGE 10]

Morung Express news

The body of a dead infant was found abandoned in a drain in Dimapur. According to the police, the body was retrieved from the drain, locally known as ‘baloo noti’, near New Field police check post at around 8:00pm on January 26. The right forearm of the dead newborn was missing. It is suspected that the baby, a female, was born with only one arm. The body was transferred to the district hospital morgue, police added.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

PAcHAsPUrA: sit identifies perpetrators

reflections

Dimapur | January 27

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“Through the sustained interrogation of the arrested persons, the identity of the alleged perpetrators of the crime have been established and though they are evading arrest at the moment, all efforts are on to arrest them,” read the statement. It further stated that through the arrests, investigators got hold of “incriminating evidences and items,” while a vehicle used to carry out the killing was recovered. The three arrested, according to reliable inputs, are in police remand and are being kept in separate locations under unprecedented security arrangement.

With conspiracy theories rife on the possible motives behind the killings, the SIT as well as the

Nagaland Police Headquarters, is tight-lipped on the progress of investigation more than three weeks since the probe started. There is still no clear definition as regards the statement “sensitive nature of the case,” though the inter-state implication involving armed organisations is believed to be compelling the Nagaland Police to tread cautiously.

The SIT has maintained since the probe started that disclosing details might hamper its work.

The PHQ also chose to use the same words. “Disclosing the details at this stage will come in the way of investigation,” commented IGP, Headquarters, Lungriading when contacted.

Prodded further, the IGP chose not to comment.

general secretary Katho P. Awomi in an appeal addressed to the director higher higher/technical education and controller of examination, Nagaland University.

In this, the Union requested the authority concerned to consider its view in a constructive way and pave the way for the students of Nagaland State to flourish outside the State and cre-

ate an opportunity for them to represent the State in the country and outside by scrutinizing the present sterile system of evaluation.

In another representation to the chairman of Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), the Union stated that the marking system of the NBSE is also not satisfactory and urged upon the authority concerned to look into the matter.

Japan keen to invest in NE NU and NBSE marking system ‘not satisfactory’

nEw DELhI, JanuaRy 27 (Ians): In what could cause China some heartburn, Japan has offered to invest majorly in building roads and infrastructure in India’s landlocked northeast, including in Arunachal Pradesh that Beijing considers part of its territory.

As Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left here

after a three-day visit, after talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during which both sides agreed to boost bilateral defence and security cooperation in a major way, a crucial part of their future cooperation was outlined with Japan evincing keenness to invest in the northeast.

India’s landlocked northeast is a key part of

its Look East policy and a bridge to connect with the economically buoyant southeast Asia, known as the tiger economies. Building roads and infrastructure, like power plants, industries and telecommunication hubs in the northeast, would be a major contributor to connect the key region with southeast Asia.

Related story on page 3

Our Correspondent Kohima | January 27

The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) today stated that the marking system of the Nagaland University (NU), is not satisfactory compared to other universities, “which hampers the career of the students in matters of admission in other universities/technical institutions, due to less per-

centage of marks secured from our university.”

“As comparing to the students from other State universities, our Naga students are second to none.

However, due to our marking system, even the state rank holders are denied admission in other reputed universities, institutions/ technical education,” stated the Union’s president Tsukjem Longkumer and

All district courts to be renamed ‘friendly courts’ Nagaland and Prohibition Our Correspondent Kohima | January 27

Nagaland State’s Department of Law and Justice is gearing up to rename all district courts as “friendly courts.” This was stated in the compendium of various activities of the State departments in commemoration of 50 years of statehood.

Other areas to be undertaken by the Department include: subordinate courts shall be established in all the ADC HQs, customary courts will be con-

Effects of drugs, alcohol in curriculum of school text books

structed in all the blocks and strengthening of Nagaland State Litigation Policy and State Legal Service Authority will be taken up.

The Excise Department will spread the message of “No Drugs and Liquor” by displaying hoardings, flex boards etc. along the international and inter district borders throughout the district.

The Excise Department has also submitted a proposal to the School Education Department for inclusion of “evil effects” of drugs and alcohol in the curriculum of high school level text books. The Department of Higher Education announced the speedy conversion of Kohima Science College Jotsoma into an autonomous college,

expediting the start of an M. Ed. course at State College of Teacher Education, post graduate courses to be introduced in three discipline i.e., Mathematics, Physics and Environmental Science at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, introduction of vocational trainings in all the colleges, introduction of miniature libraries in all hostels and to conduct workshops, seminars, symposium, faculty exchange programme in the colleges to improve quality of education.

Jan 18 rape: victim’s employer detained Morung Express news Dimapur | January 27

NWHD disheartened by increasing rape cases

A week after the shocking gang-rape of a mother of two at Darogapathar, 2 DIMaPuR, JanuaRy ½ Mile, Dimapur on Janu- 27 (MExn): The Naga ary 18, police detained Women Hoho Dimapur the victim’s employer for (NWHD) has “strongly” concealing the occurrence condemned the “rape of of the crime. The victim’s a mother of two by three employer, identified as one unknown person at gunIslam Uddin, was detained point on January 18 in for questioning on Janu- Darogapathar, Dimapur.” ary 25, the day the victim The NWHD has also reformally filed a complaint, quested for the authorand has been placed under ity concerned to “reward police remand. befitting punishment to According to the police, the culprits and their acUddin was aware of the complice,” stated a press crime but did not inform note from NWHD presithe police. He had instead dent, Hukheli T. Wotsa asked the victim to leave and its general secretary, Dimapur the morning after Vimenuo Liegise. Furthe crime occurred, since ther, the Hoho urged the he was reportedly apprehensive of the trouble it on January 19.

They were however might invite. At his urging, the victim along with her asked by Uddin to return family left for their village to Dimapur, and reportedly

non granting of bail “under any circumstances” to this case “so that this kind of barbaric act does not repeat.” “We are disheartened at the increasing number of rape cases almost every day. It is time for Naga people to rise up and protect your mother, wife, sister and daughter who are living in fear. We call upon all section of society particularly men organisations to strongly support and strive together in uprooting these evil acts from the Naga society,” the press note stated.

assured the victim and her husband that pending bills due to the couple will be reimbursed, while cash and

jewellery lost on the night the crime occurred would be compensated. Following the assurance, the couple reached Dimapur on January 24, but Uddin failed to keep his words, the couple alleged in their statement to police.

The First Information Report was filed by the victim the next day at Diphupar police station. Uddin was detained by police the same day. According to the victim’s statement, 8 people had entered the house, who overpowered her husband and a neighbour, while three of the intruders forced themselves on her. At least 4 to 5 people had guns, the victim told the police. The intruders further robbed cash amounting to around Rs. 7000 and gold jewellery kept in the house and left, alleged the victim. The crime allegedly occurred between 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

NBCC’s Unfinished Battle Morung Express news Mokokchung | January 27

In 1989, the Nagaland State Government, under immense pressure from the church and other social organizations, enacted the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTPA). Today, more than two decades after the Act was passed, the flow or consumption of alcohol continues in the socalled dry state of Nagaland, which has two paradoxical sobriquets ‘Nagaland for Christ’ and ‘Nagaland: Land of Festivals’.

Twenty-four years since the NLTP Act was enacted, newspapers are flooded with reports of alcohol seizures by state and non-state agencies.

Regardless of these seizures alcohol remains easily available in the market. Intellectuals have debated whether or not to lift Prohibition and, today, the opinions are evenly divided among society on liquor prohibition. However, the church is determined that the NLTP Act remains in effect, and more importantly, is enforced as a state law.

The church aims to strengthen the existing Act so that liquor would be completely eliminated from Nagaland. This year, 2014, the church has reported a string of programmes focused on the reality of making Nagaland a dry state. The first activity is a seminar on the topic

‘Clean Election and Liquor Prohibition’ scheduled for January 28 and will be conducted by various church organizations affiliated with the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC).

The Ao Baptist Church Council (ABAM) is planning to hold a mammoth ‘Social Concern Consultation Programme’ at its Mission Centre at Impur on the theme ‘Transformation in Christ’.

Through newspaper advertisements, the ABAM has invited representatives from the church – pastors, associate pastor women, youth directors, social con-

the Excise Commissioner, has been instrumental in revamping and modernizing the Excise Department in the State.

ABAM Women Department Secretary, Temsula Lemtur disclosed that “the ABAM is planning to carry out an elaborate and systematic programme against Liquor Prohibition in the district.” Notably, the ABAM had also resolved in 2012 that it will make Mokokchung a dry state in practice within ten years. In order to accomplish this, she also disclosed that the ABAM Social Concern Committee plans to carry out an elaborate year long programme. It will include activities like collecting statistics on alcohol users, distributing pledge forms to drinkers to pledge not to drink anymore, personal counseling at homes, carrying out processions, publicity through the media and putting up signboards in every village with the message against alcohol.

Resolutions are likely to be passed after the January 28 consultative programme. Whether Nagaland remains a dry state in name or in practice will be known after the NBCC called programme on ‘clean election and liquor prohibition’ is conducted.

For better or for worse, twenty four years ineffectively enforcing the Act called NLTP is surely an issue that needs to be re-examined.

Perhaps, among the many issues that concerns the church today, prohibition touches its core more than anything else. cern committee members – village council members, women organizations, students unions, the Ao Senden, Ao Students’ Conference and Watsu Mungdang.

More than 500 participants are expected to attend the programme.

The ABAM has also brought in the Commissioner of Excise, Maongwati Aier, as the resource person to speak on the Prohibition issue on January 28, while Advocate Namo Benja will speak on the topic of a clean election from a legal point of view. Maongwati Aier, as

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Tuesday 28 January 2014

Kohima | January 27

After Phek, Kohima and Mon, the District Human Development Report (DHDR) for Dimapur, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang and Wokha district has been formally released here Sunday during the 65th Republic Day celebration by Nagaland’s governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Similar reports for two more districts Zunheboto and Peren will soon be completed and with that Nagaland would land as the first state to complete the process of the DHDR of all the districts in the country.

These reports will act as policy documents for the state.

Addressing a press conference here at Hotel Japfu last evening, chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir IAS said Nagaland will be the first state in the country to complete HRDR of all the districts, with the completion of the remaining HDRs for Zunheboto and Peren districts within a month’s time.

Informing that Millennium Development goals adopted by the United Nations was to bring out the HDR of all the countries,

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HDR to act as policy documents for Nagaland

Our Correspondent

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The Morung Express

Vehicle stolen from Church premises

DIMAPur, JAnuAry 27 (MExn): On January 26, unknown persons have stolen a vehicle (Bolero SLX, white) from the premises of Lotha Baptist Church, Dimapur. The vehicle bearing NL 01C 9189 Ch. No: MA1PS2GAK92H71142Eg. No: GA94BB360 belonging to NBCC was presently attached to the Council’s finance secretary Rev RP Murry. While reporting about the theft to the DC Dimapur, Rev Murry stated that he was attending the devotional service around 10:15 am to 11:00 am and the vehicle was found missing when he came out after the service was over at 12:00 past. The Reverend has already lodged an FIR in the West Police Station, Dimapur on the same day. The Reverend has therefore, requested the authority concerned to take necessary action as deem fit for apprehension of the culprit and recover the stolen vehicle.

UUDA prayer and fasting

D I M A P u r , JA n u Ary 27 (MExn): Usutomi Union Dimapur Area (UUDA) has informed all its members that there will be prayer and fasting at Burma/Police Fellowship at Heralu Colony on January 31 from 6:00 am onwards.

Therefore, all members concerned have been requested to attend the programme without fail.

Alemtemshi and others addressing a press conference at Hotel Japfu Kohima in connection with the release of district human development report for six districts on January 26. (Morung Photo)

Jamir proclaimed that Nagaland was the first State to bring out a book, the sub national level HDR. Alemtemshi expressed pride that the entire HDRs was written in-house, by involving the grassroots with the DCs of respective district as team leaders, thereby making the entire process inclusive and participatory.

Dr. Manoj Pant observed that an important innovative feature of Nagaland HDR was the addition of a section “Voices of the People”, where all the writers of the Reports were sent to all the districts to interact with the stakeholders.

OSD planning Kevileno said the previous HDRs released in 2004 and 2010

were funded by UNDP and Government of India whereas the recent DHDRs was funded by the state government.

Stating that the reports also draw attention to issues that require district specific policy intervention, Nagaland’s governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar penned “I am confident that the government would take note of the suggestions made in the reports to bring about developmental changes in the districts at the grassroot level.”

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated that the reports are based on the visions of the local population as well as the inputs furnished by them, “which will greatly enhance the relevance of these reports for perspec-

Morung Express News

casing traditional and modern uses of bamboo in Nagaland and to promote the use of bamboo as a sustainable building material.

The course was attended by 11 professionals— architects, entrepreneurs, furniture designers—from Bangalore, Cochin and Delhi as well as from Nagaland. Rohan K. Abraham of ‘The India Trail’ has stated that there will be more such programmes with Zynorique Initiatives focusing on matters ranging from bamboo to permaculture and organic farming.

tive human development planning.”

Rio stated that in its efforts to make the people central to the planning and development processes, the state government has come out with the DHDR, which will serve as vision documents for the planners, right from the grassroot to the state levels, for improving the quality of life in the districts.

“I am sure the reports will revitalize and give substance to our efforts to decentralize our planning process, and reorient our development strategy towards a more inclusive growth,” Rio penned in his message.

“I hope the reports will provide practical insight to policy makers and plan-

ners in meeting the development needs of people in the districts,” penned minister for planning & coordination, evaluation and geology & mining T.R. Zeliang.

Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir penned that the central message in these DHDR is to enable people to live quality lives with access to education, health care and with sustainable source of livelihood in a secure environment.

He also stated that the district human development report wherein stakeholders have been involved in mapping the way forward for the district, “ I am sure participatory and inclusive planning will become a reality soon.”

H.K. Khulu, additional chief secretary and devel-

opment commissioner stated that with the support of the United Nations Development Programme, and Planning Commission, Government of India, the state government brought out three DHDR for Kohima, Phek and Mon in 2010. As a follow you of this project, to provide a comprehensive perspective of the district specific needs according to the diverse socio-economic settings, the report for the remain eight district human resource development reports of Peren, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Wokha, Longleng, Kiphire, Dimapur and Zunheboto was taken up, fully funded by the state government.

“It is my firm believe that these Reports will become a vision documents for planners/policy makers to draw references for bottom-up planning in the days to come,” penned Khulu.

The mentor and propelling force behind this project was chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir who was also the principal co-ordinator for the project and Prof. Manoj Pant of School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi as the lead co-ordinator was the architect of the report.

Impacting India with bamboo Kohima | January 27

‘The India Trail’ kick-started it’s Sustainable Development Programmes with a three day course on promoting the use of bamboo in design and construction.

This was done in partnership with leading Architectural firm - Zynorique Initiatives from Kohima.

Richard Belho of Zynorique, an authority in the uses of bamboo in architecture and structural design, was the primary resource person. The recently concluded programme in Kohima, Kisama and Participants of the ‘The India Dimapur was structured Trail’s Sustainable Developwith the intention of show- ment Programme.

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Youths performs a traditional game during the Bishu, a post harvest festival of the Dimasa Kacharis at Dhansiripar, outskirt of Dimapur on January 27.

(Photo by Caisii Mao)

KTBWU meeting today KOHIMA, JAnuAry 27 (DIPr): The Kohima Town Baptist Women Union (KTBWU) office bearers, advisors and representatives from all the Baptist Churches of Kohima Town will have a meeting at Sangtam Baptist Church, Kohima on January 28 at 1:00 p.m. All the members are requested to attend the meeting without fail.

Power shutdown in Chumu

DIMAPur, JAnuAry 27 (MExn): There will be a power shutdown of Chumukedima area from 6:00 am to 10:00 am on January 29 and 30 due to upgradation works being carried out at the 66/33/11kV sub-station at Chumukedima. The Superintending Engineer of Dimapur Electrical Circle, Er G Chishi in a press release has requested all the consumers to bear with the department.

Ao Region National Council (N/A) informs

DIMAPur, JAnuAry 27 (MExn): The Ao Region National Council (N/A) has informed that the acting chairman N Mar Lkr has been released from his post due to health problem. The Council has resolved to appoint T Toshi Imchen, deputy Kilonser cum Chairman, Ao Region NNC (N/A) with immediate effect. I Imti Longchar has been appointed as secretary, Ao Region, NNC (N/A).

Ao Region, Dy Kilonser cum chairman, T Toshi Imchen in a press release informed not to entertain anubody other than the newly appointed Chairman for any official matters including tax for this current year.

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CM extends Bishu greetings

Wet stone debris erupt in Phek dist

KOHIMA, JAnuAry 27 (nEPS): Strange but the citizens of the Phek Town came to know that some kind of underground stone type debris were gradually erupting from the middle of road near DC Office, Phek Town. Sources said the areas where stone debris erupting was gradually protruding and the debris were wet.

The strange citizens of the town were rushing to see whether they were that of lava of volcano nature.

The news of this strange happening is now spreading like a wildfire.

Fire-fighters are seen at the scene of a fire incident at Paipijang village in Dimapur on January Confirming this to NEPS 7. The fire, cause of which could not be ascertained, broke out at around 3:00 pm completely this evening, Nagaland Ascharring a thatch house. No injury to life was reported. (Photo by Caisii Mao)

sembly Speaker Chotisuh Sazo who was chief guest for the Republic Day Function at Phek District HQs today said he came to know it after he reached Kohima.

“It started at about 4 pm at the middle of the road near Phek DC Office,” he said allaying fear that “It may be due to some underground movement caused by reaction of internal mass. It should not be of a serious nature.”

It also disclosed that it was initially difficult to notice changes in the areas where debris coming out but later people came to notice in large areas the road surface was protruding.

KOHIMA, JAnuAry 27 (DIPr): The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio extends greetings on the occasion of Bishu which is celebrated by the Kachari community. The Chief Minister hopes that the festival will be celebrated under a spirit of peace, harmony and brotherhood and that all programmes and functions will be conducted in a successful manner.

Cultural prog on gender equality

KOHIMA, JAnuAry 27 (MExn): The department of Art and Culture, Kohima in collaboration with NEZCC Dimapur is organizing ‘cultural programme on gender equality’ at Surumi Village, Zunheboto on January 29 at 10:00 am. Art and Culture, director Vevo in a press release informed that cultural artiste from all village as well as the neighbouring villages will be participating in the one day programme based mainly on the gender issues.

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‘Naga warrior’ dedicated to Raj Bhavan Security

Kohima, January 27 (DIPR): Chandak A.K., wife of Governor Dr. Ashwani Kumar dedicated the ‘Naga Warrior’ to the Raj Bhavan Security in the presence of staff of Raj Bhavan and their families on January 27 at Raj Bhavan.

The Raj Bhavan had recently witnessed some developments and improvements like ‘solar powered cat eye’ from gate I to II done by BRTF free of cost, Naga kitchen below banquet hall and renovation of Durbar Hall stage.

The Naga warrior was sculpted by Robert James from Dimapur while the Naga kitchen was constructed by Tia Ao and Neingusalie Talie. The dedication programme was attended by CRPF, Assam Rifles and special branch.

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Naga Music Production released its first Christian Music Video on January 26 at Kids Worship Centre, Dimapur. In the image, the young upcoming singers along with Wabang Longchari, Founder & Director Sinai Ministry and NMP team during the launching of the album.

Regional

The Morung express

Tuesday

28 January 2014

Dimapur

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Japan enters where China is barred – North East nEW DELHi, January 27 (Tnn): Japan is sailing in where China fears to tread. As India and Japan ramp up their bilateral relationship, India has invited Japan to invest in and build overland infrastructure in areas which are generally out of bounds for Chinese investments.

India and Japan used the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to dramatically expand the scope of bilateral cooperation to include the politically sensitive northeastern states of India, areas where Chinese investment or projects are actively discouraged. Japanese companies will have the opportunity to help the development of the northeast specially to build roads, and aid agriculture,

forestry and water supply and sewerage in these states.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as its territory, which has aggravated border tensions between India and China. Security agencies have also long tracked Chinese weapons assistance to militant outfits in northeastern states. It has taken India many difficult years to calm down these hills, but China remains a significant security threat.

For India to invite Japan to build infrastructure here is a huge political statement. In 2007, China opposed an ADB loan for development works in Arunachal Pradesh describing it as "disputed territory". The last time the Japanese were in India's northeast was during

the second world war, when they worked with Netaji Subhash Bose's INA to confront the British in Nagaland.

Japanese companies have also been invited to help develop a new port in Chennai, which would be used to improve India's sea-route connectivity. India assiduously keeps China out of port development because they constitute India's critical infrastructure. Japanese assistance for Chennai port is also aimed at giving teeth to a new sea-based route that would start in Chennai, and end in Dawei port in Myanmar's Tanintharyi region. The port is being developed by Thailand.

In 2012, Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra had promised PM

Manmohan Singh that Thailand would pump in a massive $50 billion into Dawei, making it a bigger investment than China's in Gwadar or Hambantota.

The development of a new port in Chennai would serve to connect the industrial centres of southern and western India with southeast Asia. In addition, Japan's investment in the Bangalore-Chennai industrial corridor would find easy outlet from Chennai.

In the larger strategic matrix, this would help in building an alternative supply chain network, giving Asia a viable alternative to the China-dominated networks currently in play. The India-Japan team for economic projects is ultimately placing

pieces together to build a multipolar Asia, a declared strategic intent of both countries.

Japan and India have agreed to work together to develop infrastructure in other regional countries as well. This would have the double benefit of being a power projection for both countries in South Asia, it could be an effective counter to the Chinese juggernaut. For India, this would be an added advantage because it always falls short in delivering quality infrastructure by a moribund public sector system. An injection of Japanese funds and expertise is just what India needs.

As part of the trilateral dialogue between India, US and Japan, a trilateral highway linking India, Myanmar and Thailand (the

ZB Celebrates Rani Gaidinliu’s 99th Birth Anniversary Dimapur, January 27 (mExn): The Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) in collaboration with its Manipur Unit and Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM) celebrated the 99th birth anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu on January 26 at Ramgailong, Senapati, with Aram Pamei, Human Rights Activist and former President of Naga Women Union, as chief guest.

A press release from Dr Gairiangmei Maringmei, General Secretary, Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN), informed.

Further, the press note informed that the birth anniversary was also celebrated at different places in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Delhi, and, Mumbai.

Housewife murdered

impHaL, January 27 (nnn): A 17-year-old housewife was allegedly murdered by her husband after she was given an electric shock from an electric iron at home in Ahallup Thong Makhong in Manipur’s Imphal West district.

Wayenbam Thoibi, from Thoubal Kiyam Heibong Leirak in Thoubal district, died of electric shock yesterday around 1 am. She was taken to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, but doctors declared her brought dead.

The incident happened on January 25 around 1 am. The victim’s family alleged that the husband, Keisham Malem, 26, of Ahallup Thong Makhong, subjected his wife to frequent beatings and torture. However, the husband’s family dismisses the allegation and says that the victim died after accidentally receiving an electric shock from a computer.

ZDV cadre apprehended

impHaL, January 27 (nnn): Troops of Red Shield Division apprehended one Zou Democratic Volunteers (ZDV) cadre on January 26. According to PIBDefence Wing, based on specific intelligence regarding presence of ZDV cadre in general area Kamdou Veng, Churachandpur district, troops of 7 Assam Rifles under 27 Sector, launched a swift operation and apprehended one self styled commander of ZDV identified as Ginzakhwal, 32, son of Chinzamang, of Kamdou Veng village under Churachandpur. One pistol and two live rounds were recovered from his possession.

French tourist killed in Mizoram

aiZaWL, January 27 (ianS): A 51-year-old French tourist died after being run over by a speeding car in Mizoram, police said here Monday. "French tourist Didier Gauthier was hit by a speeding car Sunday night when it tried to avoid a collision with a taxi. Gauthier was crossing a road when he was knocked down by the car and died on the spot," a police official told reporters. The accident occurred in the southern town of Chawngte in Lawngtlai district, 185 km from capital city Aizawl. The Mizoram government has informed the Foreign Regional Registration Officer in New Delhi, who would inform the French embassy, the official said.

Congress announces Muslim candidate for Manipur RS

impHaL, January 27 (THE HinDu): Congress have announced the name of Haji Adbul Salam, a former Minister, as the party candidate in the February 7 election for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Manipur.This is the first time in Manipur that a Muslim will become a Rajya Sabha MP. The incumbent, Rishang Keishing, who, at 96, is the oldest MP in the country, has withdrawn from the race due to age factor. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in the last election, although he did not apply.

in the human rights council, Sri Lanka has threatened to take away some of the oil terminals from India. A joint development project with Japan would solve many issues with Colombo.

Buried in the agreements between India and Japan are a promise by Japan's JICA to help India's Export-Import Bank develop more attractive funding packages for Indian projects in regional countries. India always loses to China because Beijing offers finances at very attractive rates, which India cannot. India reckons that with Japanese help, it can up its own game in the neighbourhood. In the power play that is quietly underway in Asia, India has made Japan the centerpiece of its strategic outreach.

9 likely contestants for Outer Manipur LS seat

impHaL, January 27 (nnn): A revised survey by the Newmai News Network (NNN) has predicted that at least nine candidates are likely to contest in the Manipur Outer Parliamentary seat in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

While eight political parties will field their respective candidates, former Lok Sabha MP Mani Charenamei will contest as an independent candidate.

Meanwhile, Loli Adanee of the BJP informed NNN that he “will” contest from a BJP ticket in the outer constituency of Manipur. "I have contested twice from the BJP ticket in the past Lok Sabha polls and I will be contesting again from the same party," affirmed Loli Adanee.

Adanee had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls from BJP tickets in 2004 and 2009. When queried if a decision had been taken by the BJP on his candidature, Adanee said, "I will get the BJP ticket and I Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel celebrate after winning a parade prize during the Indian Republic Day have full faith in my party."

However, speculations celebrations in Guwahati, Assam on Sunday, January 26. Eleven separatists rebel groups boycotted the celebrations and are rife that former miniscalled for a general strike in the north eastern Assam state. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Northeast Briefs

ambitious draw it further to Hanoi, Vietnam) is likely to see more Japanese and US interest. This is an India-led project due for completion in 2016, but by itself, India is unlikely to make the target.

In Sri Lanka, where India is working hard to squander its hard won gains, it has invited Japan to help develop a huge thermal power plant in Trincomalee. Foreign minister Salman Khurshid recently inaugurated the project, which India has promised would be a better, cheaper power project than the one developed by the Chinese in Norachcholai.

India and Japan could also jointly develop the strategically crucial oil terminals in Trincomalee. In retaliation for India voting against Sri Lanka

ter Prof. Gangmumei Kamei is also lobbying hard for the BJP ticket.

Meanwhile, former Lok Sabha MP, Kim Gangte, told the NNN that her candidature to contest from the Trinamool Congress ticket has been confirmed. "Yes, I'm definitely contesting from a Trinamool Congress ticket in the Outer Parliamentary constituency of Manipur in the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll and there is no doubt about it."

She further disclosed that the name of Trinamool Congress party candidature for the Inner seat will be decided in the next few days by the party leaders.

Meanwhile, the North East Regional Political Front’s (NERPF) strategy in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in the North East of India will portray the Front's distribution of candidates in Manipur. With the Naga People's Front (NPF) affirming to field their own candidate in the Manipur hills, it is a matter of speculation if other regional parties in the fold of NERPF in Manipur have consented to

the NPF candidature.

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Naga People’s Front (NPF), United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party of Meghalaya (HSPDPM), the Manipur People’s Party (MPP), Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), Manipur Democratic People’s Front (MDPF), Mizo National Front (MNF), People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) and Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) are the ten political parties that have formed the NERPF on October 20, 2013, in Guwahati. Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio is the convenor of the Front while former Assam chief minister and leader of AGP Prafulla Mahanta is

the chief advisor.

Meanwhile, former minister C. Doungel is reportedly contesting from the NCP ticket while president of All India Tribal Students Association K. Zou is speculated to be fielding from the Aam Aadmi Party.

Well placed sources also suggested that PA Sangma led National Peoples Party (NPP) is likely to be in the fray in the Outer seat.

For the Congress party, ticket seekers are increasing with many of them camping at the national capital. Speculations are doing the round that nonCongress and non-BJP parties are keenly observing the situation in the hill districts of Manipur.

VACANCY

Applications are invited for the following post:1) B.Sc. 2) B.A (Eng) 3) B.A (His. Or Pol. Sc)

2 Posts 1 Post 2 Posts

Mizoram police investigate Bru leader

Contact: a) 0814686569 b) 9856185663

aiZaWL, January 27 (ExprESS nEWS SErvicE): Police in Mizoram have begun investigations against a Bru leader and a national newspaper that quoted him as saying Mizos had burned down more than a dozen Bru houses and assaulted members of the minority community two weeks ago.

A senior police official from Mamit district in western Mizoram said investigators have found no evidence of Mizos burning Bru houses or assaulting members of the Bru tribe and is seeking replies from both the newspaper and the Bru leader.

A report in a national newspaper had quoted Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum president A Sawibunga as having attributed such incidents as the reason for scores of Bru families fleeing to Tripura in mid-January.

Mizoram had been on edge with ethnic tension at the time over the November 23 kidnapping for ransom of three men — two Mizo drivers and a telecommunications professional from West Bengal — by National Liberation Front

SUNDAY SCHOOL MATERIAL

of Tripura cadres aided

by Bru militants (While the two Mizos have been released after spending two months in captivity in the jungles of eastern Bangladesh, the telecom professional remains in the militants’ hands).

With Mizo groups planning massive voluntary search operations to look for the missing men shortly before the duo’s release, scores of Bru

families from at least three villages in Mizoram had fled to neighboring Tripura or taken shelter in their farms fearing potential ethnic conflict.

Some also reportedly sought refuge in Mizodominated villages.

The Mizoram government has also taken the allegations seriously, with Home Minister R Lalzirliana saying Chief Secretary L Tochhong has been

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DIRECTORATE OF INDUSTRIES & COMMERCE

ADVERTISEMENT NO. IND/EST/ADVT/DOI/390/12 Dated Kohima, the 27th January 2014

The Department of Industries & Commerce, Nagaland in collaboration with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), New Delhi is organizing a Seminar on "INTEGRATED MARKETING & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF CANE & BAMBOO CRAFTS" on 31st January 2014 at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Center, Dimapur, Nagaland at 10:00 AM. Interested entrepreneurs/artisans are invited to attend the Seminar and contact the General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC), Dimapur (9436012428) and Smti. Jesmina Zeliang, Convenor, NER, (EPCH), Dimapur (9436003336) for any enquiry and further information and register themselves by 9:30 AM. ( Er. Thekruneituo Kire) Director of Industries & Commerce

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

DIRECTORATE OF ART AND CULTURE NAGALAND :: KOHIMA

NO.AC/RL/MISC/254/2014-15

Dated Kohirna, the th Jan. 2014.

NOTICE This is for the general information to all the Libraries enlisted with the Department of Art and Culture that books for 2012-2013 may be collected from the Directorate of Art and Culture from 4th Feb. 2014 to 4th March 2014 during office hours. All the libraries must come with Library round seal and designation seal (President, Librarian or General Secretary) without which books will not be issued. On expiry of the last date, books will be taken by the D.C.O.'s/R.O. to their respective District Head quarters except for Peren, Longleng & Kiphire which will be issued in the Directorate Office.

(VEVO) Director, Art and Culture, Nagaland, Kohima.

asked to look into the matter. A police official said an FIR is likely to be filed after initial inquiries with the Tripura police since Sawibunga is based there and also because the news report originated from Agartala, Tripura’s capital.

For different age groups for both Teacher and student

Beginners; Primary; Junior; Intermediate; and Teens (Can use for daily devotion, School; Sunday School, Bedtime stories;) Contact: Resource Centre (9612057154; 9436003066) Darogapathar, 2 ½ mile, near NRL petrol pump, Dimapur

STOLEN

Manufacturer : MAHINDRA Model : Bolero SLX(2010) Regd.No. : NL07 C 0929 Eng.No. :GAA4C31812 Chassis No : MA1PS2GAKA5C69277 Colour of Vehicle : WHITE Stolen on : 26th Jan 2014 Stolen from : Chakhesang Baptist Church Compound, Diphupar ‘B’ Finder may kindly Contact: 9436404878/ 9402718909

V.J’S COACHING CENTRE

D.C.Court Road Duncan Dimapur-797112

Admission started for (2014) Batch

 Crash Course for JEE/NERIST--I  Hostel seats available for regular College going student (Only girls)  Contact: (03862) 234272/ 248605/ 9436600530

AMENDMENT: TENDER NOTICE Reference is made to Sainik School Punglwa (Nagaland) Tender Advertisement SL No. SSPN/QM/311/TDR-01/2014-15 DATED 20 JAN 14 published on 22 Jan 14. The ibid Advertisement is hereby amended as under:For: Last date of receipt of Tender – 11 AM on 01 Feb 14 READ AS: 11 AM on 08 Feb 14.

For: Tender Opening – 12 Noon on 01 Feb 14 READ AS: 12 Noon on 08 Feb 14 Rest no change.

Principal [Phone – 03839-262004,262002]

KOHIMA BIBLE COLLEGE

Born Again, certain of your call to the ministry, and have the commitment to serve the Lord; you are welcome to Kohima Bible College -The first established Bible College in Nagaland and God’s own ordained place in training men and women for the Global mission.

ADMISSION OPEN FOR THE FOLLOWING COURSES:

Courses offered Master of Divinity (Regular & Extension)

Eligibility Duration B.Th / B.A. / B. Sc 2 years

HS (+2) / PUC 3 years HSLC 4 years Graduate in Theology Under Matricu- 4 years late • Limited seats to the Spring Session 2014 is still available.

• Last Date of Admissions will be 28th January, 2014.

Bachelor of Theology

For more information contact: Rev Zotuo Kiewhuo, Principal (M)- 9436011961

Vice-Principal (M)-8575733192

C M Y K

4

businEss/local

Tuesday

Dimapur

28 January 2014

India lifts ban on Airbus A380s

nEw DElhi, January 27 (rEutErs): India lifted a landing ban on Airbus A380s on Monday, enabling carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Emirates to fly their superjumbos into the world’s second-most populous nation.

A380s will be allowed to land at the country’s four main airports - New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad - which are equipped to handle the planes, a decision welcomed by foreign carriers looking to tap India’s fast growing air travel sector.

“The operation of A380s will help airports to generate more revenue, give more comfortable and luxurious travel to passengers, (and

will) liberalise the civil aviation milieu in India,” the civil aviation ministry said in a statement.

The ban on A380s was imposed due to concerns that foreign airlines could grab a high share of international traffic, hurting staterun Air India AIN.UL. Air India could not be reached for comment.

The A380 can carry more than 800 passengers in a single-class configuration and more than 500 passengers in a three-class set up.

The aviation ministry said Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Lufthansa had all expressed an interest in operating A380s in India on various international routes.

“We will be reviewing

Free livestock vaccination held

perjumbo and flies to India, as well as A380 customers like Etihad and Qatar Airways who have yet to take delivery of the aircraft.

Etihad last year bought a 24 percent stake in India’s Jet Airways and the two carriers are expanding flights.

BIG PLANES Rising income levels are seeing more Indians fly in the country of 1.25 billion. India’s overall passenger traffic is expected to triple to 452 million by 2020.

India has consulted ground handling and immigration officials before changing the laws on the A380, Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said this month.

His ministry said Monday’s decision was taken af-

our existing operations, and look forward to serving Indian travellers with our flagship aircraft in the near future,” an Emirates spokesman said, adding a decision would depend on passenger demand.

A Lufthansa spokesman said the carrier would look at the possibility using A380s on flights to India, but had no plan at the moment. Germany’s largest airline has 10 A380s.

Singapore Airlines, which is setting up a full-service carrier in India in a joint venture with Tata Group, said it would consider flying A380s into India.

The rule change will also benefit British Airways BAYpref.LU that operates the su-

public discoursE

ter consulting the aviation regulator, Air India and the state-run airport operator Airports Authority of India.

The state-run airport operator manages 125 airports in the country. The four airports equipped to handle A380s are managed by private sector companies.

Amber Dubey, head of aerospace and defence at KPMG’s Indian unit, said the A380s would help bring down fares and improve the competitiveness of Indian tourism sector, adding it would also boost the efficiency of airports.

None of the Indian carriers have A380s on order. Airbus recently said it cancelled A380s ordered by grounded Kingfisher Airlines.

Bank deposits upto Sept quarter Rs 6215.93 Cr

Dimapur, January 27 (mExn): In commemoration of the golden jubilee celebration of animal welfare fortnight 2014, free livestock vaccination cum treatment was carried out in villages under Dhansiripar block by a team of six doctors along with filed staffs under the team leader Dr Mudozo, Deputy Director, investigation & lab centre, Dimapur.

The team leader stated in a press release that the focus of the programme was for the prevention of outbreak of FMD, swine fever and Brucellosis, which is prevalent in the area. Many diseased animals were treated and medicines and deworming were distributed to the farmers.

Kohima, January 27 (mExn): Total bank deposits in Nagaland up to the quarter ended September 2013 has been recorded at Rs 6215.93 crores, out of which, SBI’s deposits has been estimated at Rs 2916.68 crores. This was highlighted during the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) meeting for the quarter ended September 2013 held at Capital Convention Centre, Capital Complex, Kohima.

A press release received here informed that the Committee reviewed the performances of banks in Nagaland up to the quarter ended September 2013. The total bank

advances reported till September quarter was Rs 2060.46 crores, which included SBI’s advances of Rs 1308.50 crores. Over all Credit Deposit Ratio of the State was 33.15 percent, while SBI’s Credit Deposit (CD) Ratio was 44.86 percent. National bench marked CD Ratio was 60 percent. With regard to Annual Credit Plan Achievements, overall target for FY 2013-14 was Rs 883.95 crores, but the banks recorded an overall achievement of Rs 379.24 crores (42.90%). SBI achieved 235.76 crores (55.20%).

According to the release, there are 24 banks operating in Nagaland with 148 bank branches.

Meanwhile, there are 74 blocks 45 banked blocks and 29 unbanked blocks.

The meeting was chaired by Mhombemo Patton, Commissioner & Secretary (Planning & Coordination) and attended by V. Kezo, OSD(Gen), Sashi Pongener, DGM (Outreach), SBI, N.E. Circle, V. Chelladurai, G.M.(Nabard), B.K. Srivastava, AGM,SBI RBO Dimapur, A.S. Khaund, AGM, SBI RBO, Mokokchung and senior officers from banks and government line departments. Next SLBC meeting for the quarter ended December 2013 has been scheduled on February 25, 2014.

Dimapur, January 27 (mExn): A team from Youngs’ Club attended the North East Youth Convention in Guwahati, organized

by FST Youth Collective, Action aid and Cotton College Students Council from January 21 to 23. Another team of the Club also attended National Integration Camp in Imphal, representing Nehru Yuva Kendra Nagaland from January 21to 24.

In a press release, Youngs’ Club informed that North East Youth Convention is about connecting young people from different corners of the region, who works in social sector.

17 members from Youngs Club participated in the Convention and presented Naga folk song, Naga cultural display, western songs and PowerPoint presentation on the Club’s activities, discrimination of marginalize people, youth & drugs & HIV and

Unmanifesto, a campaign to bring the voice of young people together in terms of politics, development, corruption, conflict and other social issues.

Meanwhile, the release stated National Integration Camp is about bringing youth together to promote culture, religion and also communal harmony and peace.

The camp also gives opportunity to youth to improve their skills and talent through various activities and competitions, it added. Youngs’ Club, represented by 14 members, bagged Best Discipline award and second position in quiz competition during the Camp.

Both the teams have expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Jenpu Rongmei for giving them opportunity to experience new learning, and showcase their talents.

Kohima, January 27 (mExn): On the occasion of 65th Republic Day, Muslim Welfare Society Kohima visited Bright Morning Star Children Home, Paramedical Kohima and distributed food items and sweets.

The president of the society congratulated the children for getting outstanding performance in their respective classes and for excelling in various fields. He also encouraged the children to work with great sincerity, dedication and devotion.

BMS Home is a place for orphans, semi orphans and abandoned children. It was started in the year 2012 by Abi Angami. Presently the home has 17 children. Abi Angami thanked all the individuals and well wishers for their prayers and support towards the home.

Youngs’ Club participate at Lumithsami village farmers receive training youth convention and camp Dimapur, January 27 (mExn): A daylong training programme was conducted by KVK Nagaland University, Lumami at Lumithsami village under Akuluto sub division under Zunheboto district on January 23.

In the first session, Visakho Shunyu (SMS GPB) highlighted the importance and the advantages of using True Potato Seeds (TPS). He also imparted training on preparation of TPS nursery bed and how saplings are to be transplanted into the main field. In the second session, Narola Anichari (Programme Assistant) imparted training to the farmers on Safety Working Postures and demonstrated on how a person should maintain the body position and what measures to be taken while working in the field. All together 21 farmers participated in the training programme.

_

LEISURE

Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box co ntains the digits 1 through 9.”

SUDOKU Game Number # 2774

The Morung Express

MWS Kma visits children’s home

The Rengma Nagas are living in their own forefathers land

T

he age old wisdom of our fathers as rightly reflected in the 1929 Memorandum to Simon Commission has once again been proven right in the fight of Rengma Nagas to remain in their ancestral land against the onslaught of the teeming Indians. It was the acknowledgement of this wisdom that prompted Sir Akbar Hydari and Sir Gopinath Bordoloi to include the offer to amalgamate all the Naga inhabited area under one administration unit as per 9 points agreement in 1947.

However, the subsequent history show that the GOI took no step to fulfil its own commitment. Thus, this can be said to have ignited the beginning of the Naga imbroglio which include the present “Karbi and Rengma Naga imbroglio.”

Perhaps it is also not farfetched to surmise that it was the realisation of this mistakes that had prompted the GOI again to offer NHTA in 1957 followed by granting of full fledged state of Nagaland in 1963 under similar 16 points agreement. However in both cases the GOI failed to fulfil its commitments to amalgate Nagas territorially and the state of Nagaland was created without settled legal boundary till date. And as such, the Rengma Nagas or Zeliang Nagas are living under Assam out of question, baseless and unwarranted issue. To speak the truth that those Naga tribes are living in their own ancestral land.

In view of the historical facts stated above, it is high time GOI to amalgamate all the Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit to avoid further unnecessary bloodshed.

T L Angami

Issues

T

he recent outburst that took place in Zunheboto when a “mob” of our Sumi brothers took up arms against the NSCN (I-M) is a clear indication of things gone haywire. They did not do anything wrong by taking up arms against the particular outfit, for has history not taught us that unpopular governments and authorities get crushed under the weight of the people at a certain point of time? There is only so much that the common man can tolerate. I have, of late, observed that we the Nagas are getting bolder and we are not afraid to speak out against the “national workers”, in this case, every Naga outfit. This is a much needed recipe in moving towards normalcy and where people are able to decide for themselves what is good for them without any fear of the barrel of the gun. We must never be afraid of speaking out, my dear Nagas. Silence is a tool for fools, for it only leads to fear, ignorance and eventually our demise. We must not rest till real peace is achieved and peace does not only mean cessation of fire between hostile forces. I also challenge upon the church leaders of Nagaland to work harder and sacrifice your comforts for the sake of Nagaland and Nagas. It is people like you who are the true leaders and at the same time, servants of the people. Look towards God for further inspiration. Period.

The state government should take more effective steps to solve the gigantic and overwhelming problem of illegal immigrants. Let me be more specific: non-locals. The non-locals are slowly

engulfing our beloved Nagaland. There will come a time when we might have to deal with a non-local government representative. Without further a due, Mr Chief Minister, start working. You cannot achieve anything by sitting inside the comfort of your office and making seasonal appeals and comments. You know what to do. And you know, chief minister, I personally think that you committed a grave mistake by not visiting Zunheboto during the time of the recent unrest. Sending your subordinate, the home minister of Nagaland, was not good enough. You being the head of state, leader of the people and representative of Nagaland to the outside world, you did not do your duty well.

You should have made it a point to go to Zunheboto and address the people and their grievances and worry not much about the escalation of violence. It is during times such as this that a leader is really known by people. Don’t take me for a Congress sympathizer but I feel that the state machinery has totally failed. Don’t be surprised if most people agree with me on this one. The state government and most importantly, we the Nagas, should take this as a wakeup call in the backdrop of the recent incidents that have occurred. My dear Nagas, where do we stand today and where do we stand tomorrow? You can only expect the worst in days to come.

We need each other like never before. If not now, when? God be with us if He has not yet forsaken us.

ImnaLongkumer Dimapur, Nagaland

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2785

DIMAPUR civil hospital:

STD CODE: 03862

metro hospital: Faith hospital: shamrock hospital zion hospital: police control room Police Traffic Control east police station west police station cihsr (referral hospital) Dimapur hospital Apollo hospital info centre: railway: indian Airlines chumukedima Fire Brigade nikos hospital and research centre nagaland multispecialty health & research centre

Answer Number # 2773

KOHIMA

Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home:

232224; emergency229529, 229474 227930, 231081 228846 228254 231864, 224117, 227337 228400 232106 227607 232181 242555/ 242533 224041, 248011 230695/9402435652 131/228404 229366 282777 232032, 231031 248302, 09856006026

STD CODE: 0370

Northeast Shuttles

100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202

O

R

PremiershiP

ArsenAl

newcAstle

AstonvillA

norwich

BA

pilkington

Bent

rooney

BlAckBurn

sessegnon

cAhill

suArez

chelseA

sunDerlAnD

Doyle

swAnseA

eAgles

tottenhAm

FulhAm

vAnpersie

liverpool

vorm

mAncity

westBrom

mAnutD

wigAn

mAtA

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moses

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K N T M R R R W N O R W I C H E

B E T A R I C F U L H A M D V S

A

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R N N U S S B S I A I A N I A B

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M E E E E L B O V I L V D O T I

R S Y Z A A U N B N H E U N G I

ACROSS 1. Break in friendly relations 5. Conducts 10. Misplaced 14. Largest continent 15. Shot from a bow 16. Initial wager 17. Plant fiber 18. Sympathy 20. Lockjaw 22. Blight 23. 2,000 pounds 24. A 9-piece musical group 25. Cherished desires 32. Flower 33. Follow as a result 34. Estimated time of arrival 37. Acquire deservedly 38. Eskimo 39. Generous slice of the pie 40. Alkaline liquid 41. French for “Our” 42. Will 43. What’s received from parents 45. Slash 49. Mother 50. Goddess of healing 53. Pacify 57. Graniteware

59. Parasitic insect 60. Skin disease 61. Not fluid 62. End ___ 63. Ship part 64. Leave out 65. Not a win

DOWN 1. Flat float 2. Small island 3. Decree 4. Levy 5. A blank gap 6. God of love 7. Supply with weapons 8. Numbskull 9. Go to and fro 10. Lariat 11. Scallion 12. Shop 13. Basic belief 19. Feel 21. Standard 25. Cain’s brother 26. Kill 27. Minute opening 28. After ninth 29. Accustom 30. Willow 31. Cashew or almond 34. Distinctive flair

35. After-bath powder 36. Competent 38. Charged particle 39. Disgraceful 41. Daughter of a sibling 42. Cease 44. Hinder 45. Talk 46. Javelin 47. Absurd 48. Dromedary 51. If not 52. Absent Without Leave 53. Dry 54. As well 55. Views 56. Hearing organs 58. Former boxing champ

Ans to CrossWord 2784

DIMAPUR: 03862-232201/101 (O) 9436601225 (OC) CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862-282777/101 (O) WOKHA: 03860-242215 (O) 9402643782 MOKOKCHUNG: 0369-2226225/101 (O) 9856872011 (OC) PHEK: 03865-223838/101 (O) 9436012949 (OC)

TUENSANG: 03861-220256/101 (O) 8974322879

08974997923

MON: 03869-290629/101 (O) 9856248962/ 9612805461 (OC)

Toll free No. 1098 childline

W

KOHIMA: 0370-2222952/101 (O) 9436062098 (OC)

ZUNHEBOTO: 03867-220444/101 (O) 9856158740 (OC)

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE

MOKOKCHUNG:

FIRE STATIONS

STD CODE: 0369

Police Station 1: Police Station 2 :

2226241 2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home: Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226216 2226263 2226373/2229343

TAHAMzAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

222246 222491

CHEVROLET CARS PRICE FOR JAnuARy ‘2014 CAR MODELS

STARTING PRICE

spArk 1.0 mce

3,38,705/-

BeAt 1.2 (petrol)

3,91,493/-

BeAt 1.0 (Diesel)

4,77,441/-

sAil u-vA 1.2 (petrol)

4,23,265/-

sAil u-vA 1.3 (Diesel)

5,33,999/-

sAil 1.2 (petrol)

5,03,799/-

sAil 1.3 (Diesel)

6,34,665/-

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cruze 2.0 lt

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* conDition Apply *3 yeArs / 100,000 kms wArrAnty * For petrol *cAshless ownership mAintenAnce oFFer

For details & Test drive Contact: Urban Station, Near NSC Petrol Pump, 6th Mile Dimapur. Ph No : 240994 CURRENCY ExCHANGE CURRENCY NOTES BUY(Rs) SELL(Rs) US Dollars Sterling Pound Hong Kong Dollar

62.99 103.97 8.09

63.43 105.15 8.18

Australian Dollar

54.68

55.45

Singapore Dollar Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen

49.2 56.75 61.24

49.78 57.44 61.97

Euro

85.95

86.91

LOCAL

The Morung Express

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Governor calls for lasting peace

Kohima, January 27 (DiPr): Governor of Nagaland Dr. Ashwani Kumar reiterated that peace is an essential ingredient and the most important prerequisite for bringing prosperity to the people.

He said this on the occasion of 65th Republic Day observed at Secretariat Plaza here, while calling upon the people of Nagaland to continue in their best efforts to bring lasting peace in Nagaland. “Let us admit that the problems confronting the Nagas can only be solved by the Nagas through unity and cooperation,” he added.

Stating that India has made tremendous progress since the beginning of her Republic, Dr. Ashwani reminded that Nagaland too has contributed in equal measure. However, the governor felt that the people of Nagaland has still tremendous work ahead of them and encouraged the Naga society and the Government to adapt to the sudden developments of quick convergence of likeminded people, facilitated by mass media and digital technologies such as the mobile phones and social network platforms.

progress economically all legitimate business and enterprises will need to be provided protection from threats and illegal demands and the State Government is committed to come up to the expectations of the public on this issues.”

Condemns violence On the December 21, 2013, incident and the subsequent confrontation between the public and faction at Mukalimi, Dr. Ashwani deeply regretted and mourned the loss of lives and injured people during the incident. He also expressed anguish at the turn of events in Karbi Anglong, where violence erupted between the Karbis and Rengma Nagas.

While condemning the mass killing of Karbis and Rengmas in the strongest terms, the governor informed that the State Police was seriously pursuing the case of killing of nine persons near Dimapur. He further said that the State Government has written to the Assam government for early resettlement of all the displaced persons.

Dr. Ashwani appealed to the Karbis and the Rengma Nagas to show utmost restraint and to refrain from Illegal taxation emotional and violent outStating the civil organi- bursts in order to restore zations’ stand against ille- normalcy in the area. gal taxation in recent times as an indication to the Education growing concern of peoHighlighting governple against unfair and un- ment’s initiative in educajust activities, Dr. Ashwani tion, the governor said, to Kumar said the concerns promote quality education of ordinary citizens are of in the state, several Governgreat importance to the ment Primary Schools have Government of Nagaland. been upgraded to Govern“The Government firmly ment Middle Schools. Elevbelieves that if we are to en Kasturba Gandhi Balika

NCSU assures help to Kohima Orphanage Home

Our Correspondent Kohima | January 27

On the occasion of 65th Republic Day celebration, Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers Union (NCSU) visited Kohima Orphanage Home and presented food items and sweets. Presently, the Kohima Orphanage Home houses 82 children.

Speaking on the occasion, NCSU president Pele Khezhie extended cordial relationship to the children and asked them to consider the Union as their family.

He also challenged the children to be part of NCSU in future and also encouraged them to take up business activities, assuring NCSU will be always there to assist them in every possible manner. He also exhorted the children to come forward and excel in various fields bringing good name to the family of the Home and Nagas as a whole.

Khezhie was appreciative that one of the children of the Orphanage has graduated and now works in Dubai in Rubber Company.

He also prayed to Almighty God to bless all the children abundantly to shine in various fields and become responsible and productive citizens tomorrow. The NCSU president also called upon the children to believe in God, saying whoever believes in God will be rewarded richly.

During the visit, Naga People’s Front (NPF) central youth wing president Kakuto Shohe gifted a washing machine to the home.

Angami Public Organization (APO) president Neignunyu Sekhose was also present on the occasion.

Vidyalayas have been established in Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire districts. In most of the schools, drinking water facilities have been provided and toilets constructed for both boys and girls. Government had also decided to upgrade 21 Government High School to Higher Secondary during 2013 -14 and deploy teachers in all government school before the next academic session.

The governor said the state government intends to improve the quality of the State Human Resources in the age group of 18-23 years through Department of Higher & Technical Education. In this regard, he said, 15 women colleges and three polytechnic are imparting technical skills to the youth to facilitate better training in areas such as Mechanical, Electrical Engineering and Management. The governor said the Department of Higher & Technical Education has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Vision University of South Korea. On the implementation of Community College Scheme sponsored by the Government of India at Government College Dimapur and St. Joseph’s College Jakhama, he said the scheme will be implemented in more colleges and polytechnics in future.

NSCN (K) cadre apprehended 19 Assam Rifles apprehended one NSCN (K) cadre identified as SS 2nd Lt Bokato, Army No 16420 near War Cemetery, Kohima "while attempting to carry out extortion from trucks

Employment The governor further said the Government has been taking several steps to see that the educated youth in the state are gainfully employed, especially outside government sector. He mentioned about the government’s initiative by way of organising Job Oriented Skill Development Mela in Dimapur in 2013, where the programme aimed to enhance work skill of 5000 youth by 2018.

Food security The governor said the Food & Civil Supplies Department is continuing its service to the people through PDS by operating 74 public distribution centres (PDCs) and 238 fair price shops in both urban and villages. He said that all the village councils have been given the status of fair price shop in recent areas for distribution of food grains under BPL, APC, AAY and Annapuna. He added that with the recent enactment of the National Food Security Act by the government of India, the state government is already takHealth In the health sector, the ing steps to implement the governor said Nagaland same in the state. was adjudged the best performing state in health care Rural development Dr. Ashwani said that among smaller category states. He expressed hap- the department of Rural piness there had been 9% Development has been decline in infant mortality implementing several

Assam Rifles apprehend NSCN cadres, arms peddlers

WoKha, January 27 (mExn): Troops of 17 Assam Rifles apprehended three NSCN (IM) cadres and two youth near Bhandari village in Wokha district on January 25. According to a press release from Assam Rifles, the cadres have been identified as SS Cpl Mhathung Lotha, SS Cpl Renjamo Lotha and Leacy Yankithung Lotha. The cadres were apprehended travelling in a Bolero (registration No NL05C-2627). One AK 47 Rifle, one 9mm Carbine and 29 assorted live rounds along with extortion book and Rs 58, 305/- in cash were found from their possession, the note added. The cadres were handed over to Bhandari Police Station.

rate of Nagaland as compared to the national average of 3%. He added that health of the people is an important index of development. He informed that the Government of India will soon sanction a medical college for the state.

major development programmes for the rural people through the participation of village community.

He mentioned that under MGNREG Act, 100 days of employment to every household is generated. A total of 4.03 lakh job cards have been issued till date.

The governor also added around 74 lakh man-days have been generated in addition to create a number of assets. Under IAY, he said, the total number of houses to be constructed has been targeted at 10,439. Ashwani also apprised that the Government of India has launched a new programme by reconstructing the existing SGSY into a National Rural Livelihood Mission. He said that Nagaland Rural Livelihood Mission has been launched with an aim to reach out to 1.6 lakh poor households through Women SHGs. He informed Field implementation in 156 villages across 9 districts has been started.

Power The governor informed that the power department successfully commissioned 1 MW Lang Hydro Electric Project during the current financial year. He also said that with this, the state’s total hydro power generation capacity has been increased to 27 MW. He further said that the government endeavours to take up more viable generation project in the coming years including the one at Dikhu and Tizu River. He also said that, to elevate existing bottlenecks in transmission across the state, the government has initiated a long-term improvement plan with fi-

Road Ashwani Kumar also expressed happiness to observe that the Roads and Bridges Department has displayed new initiatives and enthusiasm in the recent months to improve the condition of the roads. He urged the people to respect the roads and look upon them as their own property.

He felt that the much awaited Foot Hill Road which has commenced is likely to develop into a super highway, providing the crucial connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the state. The governor called upon the citizens of Nagaland to move forward with unity towards a more progressive, happy and prosperous Nagaland.

MEx FILE

NAGOK general conference cum foundation day Kohima, January 27 (mExn): The first general conference – cum – foundation day of the Northern Angami Gazetted Officers’ Krotho (NAGOK) will be held on February 6, 3:00 pm at Hotel Vivor, Kohima. Dr. Neikesalie Nicky Kire, Parliamentary Secretary, Law & Justice, Land Revenue, Labour & Employment, Nagaland will be the chief guest. NAGOK president K Neibou Sekhose has requested all the officers to attend the conference.

Call of Church foundation day

Kohima, January 27 (mExn): Call of the Church Ministry (KieKelie Kro-U), Kohima would be observing its 14th Foundation Day with the theme “Light the World” at Naga Shisha Hoho (Pruzie Prayer Centre) Kohima on January 28 at 1:00 pm. Pastor Ciekrosayi Phesao, Angami CRC Merhulitsa will be the speaker while Shanchumo Humtsoe, Secretary, Call of God Ministry will lead the programme and Daniel Seb, Chairman, Call of God Ministry will give a brief history of the Ministry, informed a press release.

NLFSA meeting

Kohima, January 27 (mExn): The Nagaland Leprosy Field Staff Association (NLFSA) will hold its executive meeting on February 7, 11:00 AM at Directorate of Health & Family Welfare conference hall, Kohima. The meeting will discuss on seniority, membership fee, revision of contact survey reports and activities report for the year 201213. The Association has requested all district unit presidents and one representative from each unit to attend the meeting positively.

PNF to launch CBR project in Peren

PErEn, January 27 (mExn): People in Need Foundation (PNF) is launching Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) project for people with disabilities (PWDs) cum inaugurating office for Peren district on January 30, 11:00 am at Mid-Night Market, Jalukie Town. TR Zeliang, minister for Planning & Co-ordination, Evaluation, Geology & Mining, will be the chief guest. Project implemented

by PNF is sponsored by Liliane Foundation, according to a press release.

SAKK elects new team

Kohima, January 27 (mExn): The Sumi Aphuyemi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (SAKK) elected its new team of office bearers on January 17 at Kichilimi village during 43rd general conference for the tenure 2014-16 as follows: PresidentTohovi Swu, vice president- Khekuto V. Achumi, general secretary- Kashiho Sheqi, joint secretary- Tokato L. Shohe, organizing secretary- Agape Shohe, cultural secretary- Vinito Swu, finance secretary- Joshua Hetho, games & sports secretary- Vikashe Swu, statistical secretary – Bovito Swu, publicity & information secretary- Enock Wotsa, magazine secretaryKhusheli Swu and women co-ordinator - Zhevitoli Sheqi.

and taxis plying on Dimapur to Kohima road on January 23." A press release from AR said one 7.65mm pistol, two magazines and ten live rounds were recovered from him. The release noted that SS 2nd Lt Bokato was earlier apprehended by 19 AR on December 10, 2013 from Forest Colony and he is presently on bail. The cadre was handed over to Police Station (South), Kohima.

Arms peddlers apprehended Based on specific information about transshipment of weapons in general area of Purana Bazar, troops of 29 Assam Rifles launched an operation and apprehended two arms peddlers, namely Kheto Sumi and Holoto Yeptho. Two pistols of 7.65 mm caliber along with four magazines and one Bolero without registration number were recovered from them, informed Assam Rifles in a press release. The apprehended persons were handed over to East Police Station, Dimapur, it added.

Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) & parliamentary affairs Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu with the members of PWUK Saturday in Kohima. (Morung Photo) Our Correspondent other and to grow on equal zeal and burning desire to The new team of ofcuring a bright future.

Kohima | January 27

Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) & parliamentary affairs Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu on Saturday said a time has come to invest in their children for a bright future.

In this, he called upon the parents to support and take care of their children for se-

The Chakhesang Christian Revival Church Youth Fellowship (CCRCYF) held its 41st general session cum silver jubilee celebration of Christian Revival Church Dzulha Village (19892014) from January 24 to 26 last at Dzulha village under Phek district.

Rev. Dr. N. Paphino, president NCRC, who deliv-

ered the sermon on the topic “Here am I send me,” said “Jubilee has always been special times to look back, to re-examine our lives, and to renew our faith, so that we may grow towards a deeper Christian life and do more generous service to others.”

In this, he urged upon the congregation to march forward with a mindset of change and send as many missionaries to every cor-

ner of the world to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He also said Jubilee is a time to reconcile and celebrate, a time to renew our faith and a time of new beginnings. It is a special time for renewal and rebuilding of all relationship, with God and our fellow human beings.

Jubilee is a joy based on the forgiveness of sins, the joy of conversion and reconciliation. During jubilee

DimaPur, January 27 (mExn): For the first time in record, forest department officials have been awarded with Governor's gold medals. The forest protection force has also been awarded with Governor's commendation certificate for protection of Amur Falcon.

On occasion of Republic Day 2014, two Range Forest officers, Obed Bohovi Swu and Rampaukai and Forest Protection Force got Governor's awards for their ser-

vices in conservation and protection of forests and biodiversity in the state.

“I am very happy today because my officers and staff got Governor Awards; they deserve it for their services. The awards will give motivation and moral boost to the officers and staff for protection and preservation of our rich forests and biodiversity,” M. Lokeswara Rao, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Nagaland said

in a press release.

Obed Bohovi Swu, Range Officer, Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar, Dimapur received Governor's gold medal award in view of his services in protection and conservation of biodiversity and being instrumental in development of Nagaland Zoological Park and also for protecting government property from encroachers.

Rampaukai, Range officer Jalukie Range, Peren Forest Division also received the

Dzulha | January 27

Agriculture Tagging Nagaland as an agrarian state with over 71% of its population living in rural areas and solely dependent on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood, Ashwani said that “our” effort to push up food grain production have shown result. Reminding that Nagaland was adjudged the best performing state in agriculture amongst the small state category by the India Today Group, Kumar said the government has also come out with a vision “Food for all by 2025”. The government has been focusing on organic production of pulses, tea, cardamom, Naga Chilly King and ginger etc. He expressed the need to turn attention towards marketing of these crops so as to maximize profit for the farmers.

5

Azo tells parents to invest in their children

footing."

The minister said peace and unity is a must, adding the size of the population may be small but when there is peace and unity then a congenial atmosphere would surround the community.

Congratulating the new team of office bearers, the minister called upon them to work with utmost dedication and sincerity for the progress and welfare of the community. debts were forgiven, fami- He asked them to have a lies and individuals that had lost their property and even their personal freedom were given the possibility to start a new life, Rev. Dr. N. Paphino said.

Rev. Poswunyi Nyekha acted as jubilee dedication DimaPur, January minister while Rev. Dr. N. 27 (mExn): BJP National Paphino and Rev. Vevozo Executive Council, Minority Khamo, executive secretary Cell, Nagaland today assertCCCRC were the main ses- ed that BJP is the only hope sion speakers of the three- for Christian and tribal in day celebration. the Northeast to progress.

Accusing the Congress of being “communal and racial discrimination party," Minority Cell member award in view of his services Vethisa Chakhesang in a to the Forest Department in press release cited, “In the protection and conserva- hand of Congress party, the tion of biodiversity, wildlife Christian and the tribals in crime control initiatives and the Northeast India have developing old Jalukie com- no signs of regards and no munity biodiversity reserve chance for any coveted post and creating awareness in the country except miamong communities for pro- nority Muslim and people from mainland India.” tection of forests.

The press statement Meanwhile, Nagaland Protection force was given claimed that during VajpayGovernor's commenda- ee’s regime, Nagaland state tion certificate for protect- got special grant for many ing the Amur Falcon roost- developments and also all ing site day and night with the accumulated deficit incurred by the state was dedication.

He also stressed on the need to help and strengthen one another and to sail on equal footing.

Speaking at the 7th general session of the Phekmi Welfare Union, Kohima (PWUK) here Saturday at Highland Park, the minister said "we need to strengthen and support one an-

‘Jubilee is a time to reconcile and celebrate’ Our Correspondent

nancial assistance with the World Bank.

Dimapur

Forest department officials receive Governor’s award

work for the betterment of the community. He also stressed on the need to have healthy competition among the people in order to enhance the standard of living.

PWUK president Salie Khesoh in his address acknowledged the minister Kuzholuzo Nienu, belonging to Phek village for helping the community in many ways and bringing a drastic change. The session cum picnic was hosted by Salie Khesoh & family.

fice bearers for 2014-16 is as follows: President – Vechisa Venuh, vice president – Zhokupa Hoshi, general secretary- Kuvehü Soho, assistant general secretary- Nükutholü Nienu, treasurer- Shevoduyi Venuh and Besuve Nienu as publicity secretary. The village representatives included; Kotisu- Zhokhoto Vero, Tezatsu- Veshekhoyi, Phek Basa- Mutuveyi, Phek village- Kusapa Rhakho, Phek Town- Bizo Vero and Chosaba- Sakuto.

waived, but when Congress came to power, “in spite of getting the special grant, the state plan outlay has been reduced.”

Highlighting “some facts about Christian and tribal leaders,” the BJP Minority Cell said Dr. SC Jamir’s name was in the panel for vice president of India, but was dropped on account of “favoritism”.

Further, it added, Northeast people “set aside” PA Sangma, NCP member from Northeast state for the post of President of India. However, “UPA opposed him and supported the mainland candidate.”

The press release also mentioned the “political resolution” on situation in the Northeast drafted during the BJP national council meeting held in New Delhi recently. The

BJP, in the resolution stated, “There must be earnest effort made to find a permanent solution to the Naga issue.” Meanwhile, BJP accused the “Congress collusion in massive Bangladeshi infiltration” as the root cause of recurring violence in Assam. “There has to be a national consensus to treat the Assam problem as an Indian Vs Foreigner issue, and not as Hindu Vs Muslim issue.”

However, it stated, “those Hindus who are forced to leave both Pakistan and Bangladesh because of religious persecution must be given due safety and security and Refugee status.” It also demanded that there must be a National Register of Citizen (NRC) by deleting the names of non-citizen from the voter's list in Assam.

'BJP is the only hope for tribal & Christians in NE to progress'

6

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express TuEsDAy 28 JAnuAry 2014 vol. IX IssuE 25

Along Longkumer Consulting Editor

2014 Election Tracker The need for strong govt, decisive leadership

W

ith the Lok Sabha elections slated to be held soon, many opinion polls have been conducted and presented in the media in the last few days. While an opinion poll is not the real thing nevertheless such an exercise does give an idea about people's view on such question as leadership, government policy or support for a political party. One should therefore not completely ridicule opinion polls as trash neither treat it as the gospel truth. We can however view it as an indication of things to come. Depending on whether one is winning or losing, political parties will welcome such opinion polls or reject it. However to ignore it would be at one's own peril. In fact, if conducted properly, such an exercise can strengthen democracy and become beneficial for both leaders and voters to make an informed decision or choice.

This can improve the quality of our democratic process and people's voice can be better heard.

Coming to the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, it is now becoming clear that the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is the front-runner to form the next government at the Centre. Most opinion polls are giving the BJP around 188 seats, which is its highest ever, up from 116 in 2009.

The Congress on the other hand is projected to get around 90 seats, which is down from the 206 seats it won in 2009.

Given these projections, it is expected that besides the present NDA partners, other parties, especially the regional ones will gravitate towards the BJP led NDA, notwithstanding the reservations over Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. And so, while the BJP is expected to emerge as the single largest party and find new allies to form the next government, the question is whether Modi will be able to provide a strong and decisive government. After all, to be fair to the Indian voters, the BJP has been ridiculing the weak and indecisive government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The BJP under Modi can therefore ill afford to go the way of the Congress led UPA government. As from the experience of heading a coalition, such as the present Congress led UPA government, who ever the government may be, which comes to power in Delhi, high dependence on allies could have an adverse effect on government functioning and subsequently its performance. The BJP, if it comes to power, as is being indicated in opinion polls, it will do well to work not just towards getting more seats but also find reliable partners to form the government. As is often said, in politics there are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests. After ten long years of a Congress led UPA government, which has not performed as expected because of various compulsion, people of this country want not just political stability but a government that is strong and leadership decisive. For that to happen, perhaps people should give a more decisive verdict. A hung verdict can lead to political machination by those who will do anything to bargain for power. This is not what India needs at the moment. What is required is a strong government at the Centre providing decisive leadership to fight against corruption, promoting good governance and bringing peace with development.

(Feedback can be send to consultingeditormex@gmail.com)

lEfT wiNg |

L

IN-FOCUS

Joe Kay Source: Sojourners

Be a Light

ight is important to us. Those of us who live in the Midwest are reminded of how much we need it during this time of year. The sun sets early. On so many days, our sunlight is tinged with gray as it seeps through the clouds.

Light seems to be in short supply.

All of the festive holiday Christmas lights have been put away, leaving the darkness unchecked. We recently had religious celebrations that involved lighting candles on our menorahs, on our advent wreaths and our dinner tables.

Many people celebrated the birth of a Jewish rabbi who urges everyone to be a light to the world.

Don’t wait for someone else to bring the light. Be the light.

It’s a challenge that we spend a lifetime answering. Do we make our lives primarily about ourselves? Or do we focus more on making life better for others and changing our world in some important ways?

Do we deepen the darkness, or do we shine a light into it?

Be a light.

Do the little things that make us shine on, to borrow one of John Lennon’s phrases. Smile at a stranger. Be kind toward whomever you meet. Roll down your car window and offer help to the needy person by the side of the road.

Or, borrowing from Francis of Assisi: Show those who hate what it’s like to love. Heal injury with pardon. Encourage those who are doubting themselves so that their faith will be restored. Bring hope to those who are feeling despair, joy to those who are feeling sad.

To those who feel darkness, bring some light.

Be a light.

It can be a daunting challenge sometimes. But remember that all it takes is one small, fixed light in the sky to give sailors a reference point to navigate the dangerous seas and get safely back to port. One small point of light can make all the difference for someone.

Be that small point of light.

Keep in mind that light doesn’t control or judge; it illuminates.

And that’s enough. The beams from a lighthouse allow the ship’s captain to see the shoreline. Some ships will still run aground, even with the light. Others will take advantage of the light and avoid getting grounded. And they will be thankful for the light.

Be a light.

Also, be mindful that there are many people who hate light.

Some people try to sleepwalk through their lives, so light isn’t welcomed. Others embrace darkness because it provides cover for them to promote themselves and take advantage of others.

They try to extinguish the light and make the world a dark place.

Be a light.

Often, it’s unpopular. At times you feel like a flickering flame, struggling to survive the breath that is trying to extinguish you. In those times, it takes determination and courage to shine on.

Find the courage. Be a light.

One of my favorite passages from Genesis is the poetic story of creation. It imagines a scene where God says “Let there be light,“ and light enters into creation and changes it.

This business of bringing light to the world goes on today. It goes on with you and me.

The world needs an infusion of light.

Be a light.

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

Laura Gottesdiener Source: Commondreams

In Chiapas, A Revolution That Won't Go Away

G

rowing up in a well-heeled suburban community, I absorbed our society’s distaste for dissent long before I was old enough to grasp just what was being dismissed. My understanding of so many people and concepts was tainted by this environment and the education that went with it: Che Guevara and the Black Panthers and Oscar Wilde and Noam Chomsky and Venezuela and Malcolm X and the Service Employees International Union and so, so many more. All of this is why, until recently, I knew almost nothing about the Mexican Zapatista movement except that the excessive number of “a”s looked vaguely suspicious to me. It’s also why I felt compelled to travel thousands of miles to a Zapatista “organizing school” in the heart of the Lacandon jungle in southeastern Mexico to try to sort out just what I’d been missing all these years.

Hurtling South The fog is so thick that the revelers arrive like ghosts. Out of the mist they appear: men sporting wide-brimmed Zapata hats, women encased in the shaggy sheepskin skirts that are still common in the remote villages of Mexico. And then there are the outsiders like myself with our North Face jackets and camera bags, eyes wide with adventure. (“It’s like the Mexican Woodstock!” exclaims a student from the northern city of Tijuana.) The hill is lined with little restaurants selling tamales and arroz con leche and pozol, a ground-corn drink that can rip a foreigner’s stomach to shreds. There is no alcohol in sight. Sipping coffee as sugary as Alabama sweet tea, I realize that tonight will be my first sober New Year’s Eve since December 31, 1999, when I climbed into bed with my parents to await the Y2K Millennium bug and mourned that the whole world was going to end before I had even kissed a boy.

Thousands are clustered in this muddy field to mark the 20-year anniversary of January 1, 1994, when an army of impoverished farmers surged out of the jungle and launched the first post-modern revolution. Those forces, known as the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, were the armed wing of a much larger movement of indigenous peoples in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas, who were demanding full autonomy from their government and global liberation for all people.

As the news swept across that emerging communication system known as the Internet, the world momentarily held its breath. A popular uprising against government-backed globalization led by an all but forgotten people: it was an event that seemed unthinkable. The Berlin Wall had fallen.

The market had triumphed. The treaties had been signed. And yet surging out of the jungles came a movement of people with no market value and the audacity to refuse to disappear.

Now, 20 years later, villagers and sympathetic outsiders are pouring into one of the Zapatistas’ political centers, known as Oventic, to celebrate the fact that their rebellion has not been wiped out by the wind and exiled from the memory of men.

The plane tickets from New York City to southern Mexico were so expensive that we traveled by land. We E-ZPassed down the eastern seaboard, ate catfish sandwiches in Louisiana, barreled past the refineries of Texas, and then crossed the border.

We pulled into Mexico City during the pre-Christmas festivities. The streets were clogged with parents eating tamales and children swinging at piñatas. By daybreak the next morning, we were heading south again. Speed bumps scraped the bottom of our Volvo the entire way from Mexico City to Chiapas, where the Zapatistas control wide swathes of territory. The road skinned the car alive. Later I realized that those speed bumps were, in a way, the consequences of dissent -- tiny traffic-controlling monuments to a culture far less resigned to following the rules.

“Up north,” I’d later tell Mexican friends, “we don’t have as many speed bumps, but neither do we have as much social resistance.”

After five days of driving, we reached La Universidad de la Tierra, a free Zapatista-run school in the touristy town of San Cristóbal de Las Casas in Chiapas. Most of the year, people from surrounding rural communities arrive here to learn trades like electrical wiring, artisanal crafts, and farming practices. This week, thousands of foreigners had traveled to the town to learn about something much more basic: autonomy.

Our first “class” was in the back of a covered pickup truck careening through the Lacandon jungle with or-

ange trees in full bloom. As we passed, men and women raised peace signs in salute. Spray-painted road signs read (in translation): “You are now entering Zapatista territory. Here the people order and the government obeys.”

I grew nauseous from the exhaust and the dizzying mountain views, and after six hours in that pickup on this, my sixth day of travel, two things occurred to me: first, I realized that I had traveled “across” Chiapas in what was actually a giant circle; second, I began to suspect that there was no Zapatista organizing school at all, that the lesson I was supposed to absorb was simply that life is a matter of perpetual, cyclical motion. The movement’s main symbol, after all, is a snail’s shell.

Finally, though, we arrived in a village where the houses had thatched roofs and the children spoke only the pre-Hispanic language Ch’ol. ¡Ya Basta!

Over the centuries, the indigenous communities of Chiapas survived Spanish conquistadors, slavery, and plantation-style sugar cane fields; Mexican independence and mestizo landowners; racism, railroads, and neoliberal economic reforms. Each passing year seemed to bring more threats to its way of life. As the father of my host family explained to me, the community began to organize itself in the early 1990s because people felt that the government was slowly but surely exterminating them.

The government was chingando, he said, which translates roughly as deceiving, cheating, and otherwise screwing someone over. It was, he said, stealing their lands. It was extracting the region’s natural resources, forcing people from the countryside into the cities.

It was disappearing the indigenous languages through its version of public education. It was signing free trade agreements that threatened to devastate the region’s corn market and the community’s main subsistence crop.

So on January 1, 1994, the day the North America Free Trade Agreement went into effect, some residents of this village -- along with those from hundreds of other villages -- seized control of major cities across the state and declared war on the Mexican government. Under the name of the Zapatista Army for National Liberation, they burned the army’s barracks and liberated the inmates in the prison at San Cristóbal de Las Casas.

In response, the Mexican army descended on Chiapas with such violence that the students of Mexico City rioted in the streets. In the end, the two sides sat down for peace talks that, to this day, have never been resolved.

The uprising itself lasted only 12 days; the response was a punishing decade of repression. First came the great betrayal. Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, who, in the wake of the uprising, had promised to enact greater protections for indigenous peoples, instead sent thousands of troops into the Zapatistas’ territory in search of Subcomandante Marcos, the worldrenowned spokesperson for the movement. They didn’t find him. But the operation marked the beginning of a hush-hush war against the communities that supported the Zapatistas. The army, police, and hired thugs burned homes and fields and wrecked small, communally owned businesses. Some local leaders disappeared. Others were imprisoned. In one region of Chiapas, the entire population was displaced for so long that the Red Cross set up a refugee camp for them. (In the end, the community rejected the Red Cross aid,

in the same way that it also rejects all government aid.)

Since 1994, the movement has largely worked without arms. Villagers resisted government attacks and encroachments with road blockades, silent marches, and even, in one famous case, an aerial attack comprised entirely of paper airplanes.

The Boy Who Is Free Fifteen years after the uprising, a child named Diego was born in Zapatista territory. He was the youngest member of the household where I was staying, and during my week with the family, he was always up to something. He agitated the chickens, peeked his head through the window to surprise his father at the breakfast table, and amused the family by telling me long stories in Ch’ol that I couldn’t possibly understand.

He also, unknowingly, defied the government’s claim that he does not exist.

Diego is part of the first generation of Zapatista children whose births are registered by one of the organization’s own civil judges. In the eyes of his father, he is one of the first fully independent human beings. He was born in Zapatista territory, attends a Zapatista school, lives on unregistered land, and his body is free of pesticides and genetically modified organisms. Adding to his autonomy is the fact that nothing about him -- not his name, weight, eye color, or birth date -- is officially registered with the Mexican government. His family does not receive a peso of government aid, nor does it pay a peso worth of taxes. Not even the name of Diego’s town appears on any official map.

By first-world standards, this autonomy comes at a steep price: some serious poverty. Diego’s home has electricity but no running water or indoor plumbing. The outhouse is a hole in the ground concealed by waist-high tarp walls. The bathtub is the small stream in the backyard. Their chickens often free-range it right through their oneroom, dirt-floor house. Eating them is considered a luxury.

The population of the town is split between Zapatistas and government loyalists, whom the Zapatistas call “priistas” in reference to Mexico’s ruling political party, the PRI. To discern who is who, all you have to do is check whether or not a family’s roof sports a satellite dish.

Then again, the Zapatistas aren’t focused on accumulating wealth, but on living with dignity. Most of the movement’s work over the last two decades has involved patiently building autonomous structures for Diego and his generation. Today, children like him grow up in a community with its own Zapatista schools; communal businesses; banks; hospitals; clinics; judicial processes; birth, death, and marriage certificates; annual censuses; transportation systems; sports teams; musical bands; art collectives; and a threetiered system of government. There are no prisons. Students learn both Spanish and their own indigenous language in school. An operation in the autonomous hospital can cost one-tenth that in an official hospital. Members of the Zapatista government, elected through town assemblies, serve without receiving any monetary compensation.

Economic independence is considered the cornerstone of autonomy -- especially for a movement that opposes the dominant global model of neoliberal capitalism. In Diego’s town, the Zapatista families have organized a handful of small collectives: a pig-raising operation, a bakery, a shared field for farming, and a chicken coop. The 20odd chickens had all been sold just before Christmas, so the coop was empty

when we visited. The three women who ran the collective explained, somewhat bashfully, that they would soon purchase more chicks to raise.

As they spoke in the outdoor chicken coop, there were squealing noises beneath a nearby table. A tangled cluster of four newly born puppies, eyes still crusted shut against the light, were squirming to stay warm. Their mother was nowhere in sight, and the whole world was new and cold, and everything was unknown. I watched them for a moment and thought about how, although it seemed impossible, they would undoubtedly survive and grow.

Unlike Diego, the majority of young children on the planet today are born into densely packed cities without access to land, animals, crops, or almost any of the natural resources that are required to sustain human life. Instead, we city dwellers often need a ridiculous amount of money simply to meet our basic needs. My first apartment in New York City, a studio smaller than my host family’s thatched-roof house, cost more per month than the family has likely spent in Diego’s entire lifetime.

As a result, many wonder if the example of the Zapatistas has anything to offer an urbanized planet in search of change. Then again, this movement resisted defeat by the military of a modern state and built its own school, medical, and governmental systems for the next generation without even having the convenience of running water. So perhaps a more appropriate question is: What’s the rest of the world waiting for?

Celebrating Dissent Around six o’clock, when night falls in Oventic, the music for the celebration begins. On stage, a band of guitarstrumming men wear hats that look like lampshades with brightly colored tassels. Younger boys perform Spanish rap. Women, probably from the nearby state of Veracruz, play son jarocho, a type of folk music featuring miniature guitar-like instruments.

It’s raining gently in the open field.

The mist clings to shawls and skirts and pasamontañas, the face-covering ski masks that have become iconic imagery for the Zapatistas. “We cover our faces so that you can see us” is a famous Zapatista saying. And it’s true: For a group of people often erased by politicians and exploited by global economies, the ski-masks have the curious effect of making previously invisible faces visible.

Still, there are many strategies to make dissent disappear, of which the least effective may be violence. The most ingenious is undoubtedly to make the rest of the world -- and even the dissenter herself -- dismissive of what’s being accomplished. Since curtailing its military offensive, the government has waged a propaganda war focused on convincing the rest of Mexico, the world, and even Zapatista communities themselves that the movement and its vision no longer exists.

But there are just as many strategies for keeping dissent and dissenters going. One way is certainly to invite thousands of outsiders to visit your communities and see firsthand that they are real, that in every way that matters they are thriving, and that they have something to teach the rest of us. As Diego’s father said in an uncharacteristic moment of boastfulness, “I think by now that the whole world has heard of our organization.”

Writing is another way to prevent an idea and a movement from disappearing, especially when one is hurtling down the highway in Texas headed back to New York City, already surrounded by a reality so different as to instantly make the Zapatistas hard to remember.

The most joyous way to assert one’s existence, however, is through celebration.

The New Year arrived early in Oventic. One of the subcomandantes had just read a communique issued by the organization's leadership, first in Spanish, then in the indigenous languages Tzotzil and Tzeltal. The latter translations took her nearly twice as long to deliver, as if to remind us of all the knowledge that was lost with the imposition of a colonial language centuries ago. Then, a low hiss like a cracked soda can, and two fireworks exploded into the air.

“Long live the insurgents!” a masked man on stage cried.

“Viva!” we shouted. The band burst into song, and two more fireworks shot into the sky, their explosions well timed drumbeats of color and sound. The coordination was impeccable. As the chants continued, the air grew so smoky that we could barely see the fireworks exploding, but in that moment, I could still feel their brilliance and the illumination, 20 years old, of the movement releasing them.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The Morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender.

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

7

TuEsday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

28 January 2014

L

ate this spring, India will hold its 16th general election. The vote will pit the forces of progressivism, which celebrate cultural and social pluralism and promote equity and good governance but appears singularly incapable of policy implementation, against the forces of cultural and religious nationalism, which promote rapid economic growth and political order but show little regard for social justice, religious and ethnic minorities, or the rule of law. The outcome of the battle could very well reshape the world’s largest democracy.

It is tempting to assume that the two competing visions are neatly encapsulated by the race’s main contenders, the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But that would be facile. Congress’ election platform certainly suggests that it remains committed to progressivism. But even a cursory examination of its record in office over the past term suggests that it is not. Further, the BJP, which many believe squarely falls into the second category, has not always maintained political order. Some of the worst communal violence, after all, has taken place under its watch. Indeed, despite the BJP’s critique of Congress’ abysmal performance, it has been unable to offer any viable alternative. Although reliable and valid opinion polls are scant, it should not come as a surprise when neither party obtains a clear-cut mandate.

The Indian public has been greatly disappointed by Congress’ performance as the leading party within the United Progressive Alliance regime, which has ruled India since 2004. During its first term in office (2004–9), the UPA presided over substantial economic growth, successfully concluded a major agreement on civilian nuclear power with the United States, and passed legislation designed to promote greater government accountability.

All the while, it pursued generally progressive social policies. However, in its second term, the UPA seemed to lose its way. Several of its party members were indicted for involvement in corruption schemes. Particularly dispiriting was the case of Andimuthu Raja, a cabinet member who was implicated in the dubious allocation of the 2G mobile phone spectrum -- a scandal involving roughly $40 billion. Worse still, economic growth in recent years has plummeted to less than five percent per year, and the prospects of jump-starting it seem remote.

Mired in scandal and unable to tackle a host of pressing economic issues -- badly outdated labor laws, byzantine regulations on foreign investment, and a steadily falling rupee -- the government lost much popular support. Amidst internecine battles within the government between those who favored more market-friendly policies and others most concerned with social equity coupled with an obstreperous and uncooperative opposition, policy paralysis was the order of the day.

The BJP’s performance in the opposition has not been exemplary, either. It attempted to stall legislation at every turn, its members have routinely disrupted parliamentary proceedings, and the party has offered few, if any, viable alternatives to the ruling regime’s preferred policies. It could have cooperated with the UPA to pass acceptable legislation and offered innovative ideas about dealing with India’s neighbors.

Instead, it has merely harped on the failures

T

he countdown to Sochi was supposed be joyous, a celebration of all things Russian and the Olympics, too.

Instead it's been nothing but a grim reminder that Olympic officials had no idea what they were getting when they bought into Vladimir Putin's visions of surf and snow and handed him a Winter Olympics to call his own.

Every day seems to bring a new threat or another warning. Every day strains the nerves more, to the point where some athletes are telling family and friends it's not worth the risk to go, even for the most important moment of their lives.

Suicide bombings a few hundred miles away. Threats of more to come in Sochi itself. A hardened militant group nearby with an immense hatred of Putin and Russia and little regard for human life.

And a general uneasiness that no matter how many billions they've spent, the Russians really aren't ready for this at all.

If the latest news that three socalled "black widows" intent on carrying out suicide bombings are believed to already be in Sochi isn't enough to put a damper on the fun and games, consider this: The same Islamic militants who assassinated the Russian-backed leader of Chechnya — the father of the current president — in 2004 have not only have declared their intention to attack the games but demonstrated with his death that they have the creativity and means to do just that.

"There is precedence to this," warned Lt. Col. Robert Schaefer, a Green Beret who literally wrote the book about the brutal conflict in the North Caucasus region. "It's important to think about how (Chechen president Ramzan) Kadyrov's father was killed at a stadium rally.

During construction at the stadium

PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

India's Two Futures of the ruling coalition and criticized its putative mollycoddling of religious minorities.

The BJP’s chosen candidate for the position of prime minister, Narendra Modi, has a disturbing past. It was during his tenure as the chief minister of Gujarat that a pogrom against the state’s Muslims took place. Admittedly, the Supreme Court of India has formally exonerated him of all charges. However, he remains a deeply divisive figure. And given his party’s record of hostility toward secularism, it is not difficult to speculate how a government under his leadership might treat ethnic and religious minorities. Even his much-vaunted record of promoting economic growth in Gujarat is not free of blemishes. Although he was successful in attracting investment and promoting industrial growth, his administration did little to promote economic equality or implement existing environmental safeguards.

There are two other national parties as well, but neither of these -the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) -- offers much hope. Both have been in secular decline for well over a decade. Their criticisms of India’s fitful attempts at marketfriendliness are predictable, and their rhetoric against India’s closeness with the United States is tired. The parties have little to proffer the Indian voter. The most they can claim is that they remain India’s only firm defenders of secularism, but even that assertion has its limits. They have demonstrated a willingness to swiftly defend any attack on India’s Muslim minority but are unwilling to countenance the very real dangers that radical Islam poses to India’s political order.

Indian voters are now faced with a conundrum. On the one hand, they can vote for Congress and the UPA because of their commitments, however flawed, to secularism and social justice. On the other, they may be tempted to vote for the BJP because of the UPA’s failure to promote growth and employment and maintain public order.

Either way, they understand that they will not likely get the policies for which they bargained. Instead, they can be assured that they are in for a period of political instability with a fractious coalition regime that is unable to forge a viable working consensus. And that is why levels of par-

sumit Ganguly Foreign affairs

The Upcoming Election Is More Than an Ideological Showdown

ticipation in the upcoming elections will be crucial. If a substantial segment of the electorate simply stays home, the outcome of the election, already uncertain, could become even less predictable.

RELEVANT REGIONS If, as is highly likely, the Indian electorate delivers a fractured verdict on Congress and the BJP later this year, a range of regional parties and their leaderships will play a significant role in shaping India’s parliament,

especially if they end up with significant numbers of seats in the Lok Sabha (or lower house of parliament). Such an outcome would constitute a throwback to an earlier era in Indian politics, in which the Congress Party was in disarray, the BJP lacked any parliamentary strength, and an assortment of regional parties cobbled together a government in New Delhi.

The likeliest winner in this scenario is the Samajwadi Party, under the current leadership of Akhilesh Yadav, a political neophyte, in Uttar Pradesh. Yadav’s father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, anointed him as his successor in 2012. The younger Yadav, like his father, is mostly a populist and ostensibly concerned about the plight of lower castes and Muslims. But he has continuously disappointed them. His performance as the chief minister of India’s most populous state has been lackluster at best and appalling at worst. He has demonstrated little ability to tackle the state’s endemic poverty. Under his watch, moreover, ethno-religious violence has surged. In the wake of a terrible run of Hindu-Muslim riots in the district of Muzaffarnagar last August, his administration has offered scant comfort to the afflicted Muslims. Worse still, it has demonstrated remarkable callousness toward those Muslims who fled their homes and took refuge in government camps. This winter has been especially harsh in north India. As reports emerged of children in refugee camps dying from exposure, Anil Gupta, a senior bureaucrat in the Uttar Pradesh government, stated, “No one can die of cold. If people die of cold, then nobody will survive in Siberia.” Despite the rank insensitivity of his remark, it elicited no response from the chief minister. As hapless families sought to fend off the elements in makeshift camps, Yadav was busy organizing a cultural extravaganza featuring a string of Bollywood stars.

Even so, caste loyalties may lead voters to support him. If the Samajwadi Party corners a fraction of the 80 seats that the state commands, he will play a significant role in shaping the next government, especially if neither of the two national parties wins an outright majority. The prospect of the Samajwadi Party playing a decisive role in determining the next coalition regime is frightening. Neither Yadav nor his father has a coherent economic philosophy. They

have virtually no experience in foreign affairs and are quite feckless besides.

Another well-positioned politician is Jayalalilthaa Jayaram, the imperious chief minister of the economically vibrant southern state of Tamil Nadu. Although she has been dogged with allegations of corruption, she enjoys considerable support within her home state. Under her watch, Tamil Nadu has enjoyed considerable economic prosperity and a decline in poverty. She has proved a deft political survivor and, so far, has strictly local ambitions. However, she will no doubt seek to wring political concessions from any coalition regime. Given her party’s concern with the plight of fellow Tamils in Sri Lanka, that could undermine a coalition regime’s ability to deal pragmatically with Sri Lanka.

Like her southern counterpart, Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress in the state of West Bengal, has also demonstrated a capacity to be utterly mercurial.

Her manner aside, voters may well turn to her because of the lack of viable alternatives. Congress barely has a presence in the state, and the communists are widely disliked. But she is primarily concerned with the large debt burden that she inherited from 30 years of communist misrule. She has repeatedly sought to hold the national government hostage to obtain debt relief. If she senses that a weak coalition needs her parliamentary support, her demands may well become extortionate.

The discussion would be incomplete without a nod to two other politicians. The first is Nitish Kumar, a member of the Janata Party and the mostly able and pragmatic politician who has presided over a significant turnaround of Bihar, a state that had long been deemed ungovernable. Given his enviable track record as a competent administrator, he will no doubt seek to play a role in shaping any possible coalition government -- and will probably be a positive force. Similarly, Arvind Kejriwal, a former tax bureaucrat and the leader of the Aam Aadmi (or “Common People’s”) Party could pull off an upset in New Delhi.

The party started out as an anticorruption movement but won 28 out of a possible 70 seats in the Indian Legislative Assembly last December. After some deliberation, it chose to form a government with the support of the Indian National Congress. Given its very short stint in office and its singleminded focus on the elimination of corruption in public life, it is too early to tell if it can garner a nationwide following. That said, it would be foolish to write it off.

THE END OF AN ERA With politics floundering at the national level and flourishing at the local level, it is possible that the elections will result in a disparate coalition of the BJP and one or more regional parties. Such an outcome could well return India to the conditions of the 1980s, when a fractious and unwieldy coalition regime imperiled economic growth, governance, and political order.

Given all the variables, it is exceedingly difficult to tell how such a government would actually govern -- or attack the myriad challenges that besiege the country. Such a coalition would not be able to tackle the mounting problems of governability, sluggish economic growth, and a drifting foreign policy. The hopes that many observers had for a well governed, booming India ready to take its place in the global order now seem increasingly off base.

Danger in Sochi, and an Olympics on edge

they buried two 155 mm artillery shells in the concrete below the VIP bleachers. Then they waited until the elder Kadyrov attended and they detonated it."

Think about that as you watch the opening ceremonies unfold in all their grandeur on television. Or when Shaun White attempts some flips, and the worst thing that seems possible is that he wipes out at the top of the half pipe.

Yes, Olympics have been a target of terrorists ever since the 1972 massacre of Israeli athletes and team members in Munich.

A lone wolf bombing in Atlanta killed one person in 1996, and the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City were clouded by fears of the 9/11 attacks that had taken place just months earlier.

But never have the threats seemed so real as they do in Putin's playground by the Black Sea, just on the other side of the mountains from an area steeped in blood and years of conflict that include two recent wars between Russia and Chechnya unmatched for the brutality on both sides.

Already, militants have claimed responsibility for two bombings that killed 34 people in a train station and on a bus in Volgograd, about 400 miles from Sochi. One of their top leaders has called for his followers to "do their utmost to derail" the games, describing them as "satanic dances on the bones of our ancestors."

These aren't people used to making idle boasts. They've been fighting Russians for generations and are blamed for some of the most savage terrorism attacks in recent

Tim dahlberg aP Sports Columnist

Visitors pose in front of the Olympic rings at the 2014 Winter Olympics on Saturday, January 25, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. The Olympics begin February 7th.

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

years, including a Moscow theater takeover in 2002 that ended in 170 deaths and a school siege two years later in North Caucasus where more than 300 died, many of them children, when Russian troops stormed the building. And they roam not far from venues where the world's best ice and snow athletes will perform in front of television cameras beaming it all to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

"It doesn't take an expert to look at that region and say the Olympics will be such a large target that

insurgents will not try to do something," said Schaefer, who will be in Sochi as a security analyst for NBC. "There has been an average of 10 to 15 attacks in North Caucasus every month in recent years. It's just now the press is paying more attention to it."

That's more than can be said about the IOC delegates who decide where every Olympics will go.

They were won over in 2007 by a personal appearance by Putin, voting for his Olympics over Pyeongchang, South Korea, and Sal-

zburg, Austria, after being assured that the coastal area of Sochi and the snow-capped mountains behind it would provide a spectacular backdrop for the games.

Apparently, the delegates never read the history books about a region long in turmoil. Or maybe they just were too busy having cocktails and getting picture taken with Putin they forgot to look at a map that shows Dagestan, now the most volatile part of the area, just 300 miles east of Sochi.

What was supposed to be a trouble-free Olympics built at a cost of $12 billion is now a bloated games costing more than $50 billion — with one IOC official saying a third went to bribes, kickbacks and other corruption. Hundreds, if not thousands, of residents were displaced from their homes for Olympic construction, and an AP reporter just this month visited residents without running water and using outhouses less than 2 miles away from the main Olympic cluster.

Add into that the uproar over Russia's new anti-gay law, Putin's recent clumsy effort that seemed to equate gays with pedophiles, and the fact a third of the tickets have gone unsold as foreigners for the most part are staying away.

But it's the danger of terrorism that is most worrisome, despite an exclusion zone spreading out miles around Sochi and the tens of thousands of police, troops and other security personnel that will be on patrol in Sochi and the surrounding area.

Schaefer said one of his biggest concerns is that construction

workers — many of them foreigners — could have taken bribes to look the other way while explosives were buried or caches of weapons stored in the frenzied buildup of facilities over the last few years.

Another is that the railway bringing in almost all the spectators is a prime target stretching hundreds of miles that is incredibly hard to completely defend.

"The Russians are definitely pulling out all the stops," said Schaefer, author of the 2011 book "The Insurgency in Chechnya and the North Caucasus: From Gazavat to Jihad." ''I have people in the country now saying they have roadblocks completely around Sochi four hours out and people are not getting in unless they demonstrate they have good reason. But we're talking about a committed group of people, and even the best security in the world may not be able to stop everything. We had great security at the Boston Marathon as well."

Ultimately, Schaefer said, the best chance these games may have to be safe will be because of the same man who brought them to the doorstop of his vacation home in the area. Putin, he said, came to power because he was a strong figure at the time of the second Chechen war, and he wants to show in his second tenure as president that he has put down the rebellion.

"What could sell the world more than anything else is he's the guy who finally did what all Russian Czars couldn't — he tamed the Caucasus," he said. "You have a large Olympics and you pull it off without incident, then you demonstrate to everybody that I've beaten them."

The best hope for an Olympics that never should have been in Sochi to begin with is that this is one more time Putin gets what he wants.

Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Andaman boat tragedy: Three including boat owner detained

New Delhi, JaNuary 27 (ageNcies): The owner of the overcrowded boat carrying 51 tourists which capsized in the Andaman and Nicobar islands was among the three persons detained today even as a Union Minister said there were no life jackets and divers on board the vessel.

Conflicting claims were also made on the response to yesterday’s mishap in which 21 people were killed with eyewitnessses saying there was a delay in the arrival of the marine rescue team while the local administration asserted rescue efforts were mounted as soon as the inputs came in.

The eyewitnesses also claimed they heard a blast before the boat ‘Aqua Marine’ capsized on the Andamans sea near Port Blair. The boat had a capacity to carry only around 25 people, official sources said. A magisterial inquiry by Additional District Magistrate (South Andaman) has been ordered by Lt Gen(retd) A K Singh, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The probe will establish the exact cause and also pinpoint if there was violation of safety guidelines and responsibility will be fixed, Singh said.

The owner of the boat and two other persons were detained and being questioned and an FIR has been lodged against them, Singh said, adding they are likely to be charged under Section 304 IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). Six more people were plucked from the waters last night taking to 29 the total number of people who were rescued. The

A survivor of a boat capsize off India’s remote Andaman and Nicobar islands, center, gets emotional upon seeing relatives as he arrives at the airport in Chennai, on Monday, January 27. The overcrowded tourist boat that capsized Sunday killing at least 21 people, may have hit a rock before it went down, police said Monday. (AP Photo)

victims included eight men and 13 women, P Johar, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman district said.

Of the dead, 16 were from Tamil Nadu, three from Maharashtra, and one each from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. All the 16 victims from Tamil Nadu were from the temple town of Kanchipuram. A total of 32 tourists

from Kanchipuram were on the ill-fated boat. One person was still missing and feared dead while all the bodies had been identified and sent back to Chennai and other places where they hailed from, sources in the Andaman and Nicobar administration said.

“I came to know from reports that there were no life jackets in the boat

and no divers to rescue the people.

There was no guard in the boat,” V Narayanasamy, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, said terming the incident as “sad” and “unfortunate”. He also demanded a thorough inquiry into the tragedy. Eyewitnesses told PTI that before the boat capsized, they heard the sound of a blast.

The Morung Express

India to seek re-election to UNHRC uNiteD NatioNs, JaNuary 27 (Pti): India has said it will seek re-election to the UN’s human rights body this year and would continue to strongly push for early reform of the powerful Security Council.

On the occasion of India’s 65th Republic Day on Sunday, India’s Ambassador to the UN, Asoke Kumar Mukerji, said that India would actively participate in the work of the United Nations during the coming year based on its national objectives and priorities. He said early reform of the UN Security Council will continue to be a “priority” for India, adding that maintenance of international peace and security is also a necessary external environment for India’s developmental objectives.

India is currently a member of the 47—nation UN Human Rights Council and its term will end on December 31, 2014. It would seek re—election this year when elections are held in October. India will compete in the Asia—Pacific category in which four seats will be up for election and so far seven nations have announced their candidature, sources said.

The Council members are elected for a period of three years by the world body’s General Assembly, and have the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year.

Last year, the General Assembly had elected 14 countries, including China, Saudi Arabia and Russia to serve on the Council.

India would also give priority to the implementation of the mandate agreed to by the international community in the Rio+20 Summit on Sustainable Developmental Goals, and “make this work an integral part of the post—2015 development agenda, which will be adopted at the 2015 summit marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations next year,” a statement issued by the Permanent Mission of India here said.

Mukerji underscored that as a founding member of the UN, India has a direct stake in its sustained success. He said India has contributed significant resources to maintaining international peace and security, including providing thousands of Indian peacekeepers, especially in the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Mukerji said the Indian peacekeepers have upheld the “glorious traditions of the Indian Army while fulfilling their mandate in the face of unprecedented challenges, especially protection civilians at the risk of their own lives.”

India has also contributed significantly in financial and intellectual resources to the specialised agencies and funds of the United Nations engaged in socio—economic developmental work. The Indian mission hosted a reception on the occasion of Republic Day, attended by President of the 68th UN General Assembly Ambassador John Ashe.

In no hurry to withdraw support to AAP govt: Cong France’s ex-first lady focuses on hunger in India

New Delhi, JaNuary 27 (Pti): Congress on Monday made it clear that it was in no hurry to reconsider its support to the AAP government in Delhi, but expressed disappointment over its functioning and also condemned the criticism by its minister Somnath Bharti of President Pranab Mukherjee’s speech on the eve of the Republic Day. “While arriving at a decision (to support AAP), various factors were taken into consideration... it’s not that today we are extending support and tomorrow we will withdraw

it.

“We do not decide such things in a light manner...

We will keep patience,” senior Congress spokesperson Mukul Wasnik told reporters at an AICC meeting.

Wasnik stressed that Congress was aware of the situation in Delhi and would minutely observe the developments. “No deadline as such has been given (to AAP to fulfill the promises made in its manifesto). We gave them support to form the government because we wanted to avoid the burden of another election on the people of Delhi.

Labourers’ hands chopped off: SC notice to Andhra, Odisha govts

New Delhi, JaNuary 27 (Pti): The Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of a horrific incident involving the chopping off the right hands of two migrant labourers from Odisha by a contractor from Andhra Pradesh in December last year.

Taking cognisance of a media report on the incident, a bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued notice to the chief secretaries of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

According to the report, the incident occurred near a jungle in Belpada village in Kalahandi district of Odisha when the two labourers were being taken back to their homes to recover the money paid to them in advance when they were hired. They were being taken back as they had refused to work in a brick kiln in Raipur district

“Unfortunately, the speed with which they should have moved forward is not there,” Wasnik added. Wasnik, meanwhile, refused to go into the controversy surrounding the expulsion of AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny, who today met the Delhi LG over issues which he claimed have not been addressed by the Kejriwal government.

Binny is learnt to have also demanded action against controversial law minister Somnath Bharti.

Wasnik, however, condemned AAP when it was

of Chhattisgarh. On the way back, the contractor and his accomplice got drunk and chopped off the right hands of the two workers, the report said.

The police have launched a manhunt for the contractor and his accomplice. The two labourers were part of a group of 12 hired for Rs 14,000 each by the contractor to work in a brick kiln in Andhra Pradesh. However, the contractor tried to forcibly take all of them to Raipur in Chhattisgarh to work in a brick kiln there, to which the labourers refused and 10 of them managed to escape, the report said.

‘SC’s gay sex ruling defeat of human rights’

KolKata, JaNuary 27 (iaNs): A day before the Supreme Court hears a review petition by the government against the December ruling upholding section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises gay

pointed out that Bharti had criticized President Pranab Mukherjee’s “populist anarchy” remarks. “Various statements keep coming from AAP. It is unfortunate that somebody makes such comments even on the President’s remarks. We strongly condemn this,” he said.

Bharti had referred to the President’s comments in a tweet in which he appeared to juxtapose the recent agitation by AAP in Delhi with the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and the postGodhra riots of 2002 in Gujarat.

sex, celebrated author Vikram Seth Monday said the judgment marked a defeat of human rights.

“The issue of human rights... that’s the important thing... as Indians... men, women, lesbians, gays... we all lost on Dec 11... it’s about humanity as Indians, as citizens of our country or as human beings in the world that are being trampled on,” Seth told IANS on the sidelines of the Kolkata Literary Meet. In a jolt to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, the apex court held Dec 11 that consensual sex between adults of the same gender was illegal and an offence according to the existing law.

The central government filed a review plea on the apex court ruling.

Seth said Jan 28 will be a “crucial day”.

“It’s an awful business and that’s why we are fighting against it... what happens tomorrow is anyone’s guess... tomorrow is a crucial day.” The apex court set aside the 2009 Delhi High Court verdict that decriminalised homosexuality.

MuMBai, JaNuary 27 (aP): In her first public appearance since the French president broke up with her, Valerie Trierweiler turned her attention to the less fortunate Monday, cuddling and kissing children in a pediatric ward in India. Trierweiler arrived in Mumbai overnight, smiling but looking tired after a business-class flight from Paris, on which cabin crew limited reporters’ access to her. Trierweiler has been a subject of intense media interest after being hospitalized earlier this month with what aides described as shock and the blues following a tabloid’s publication of photos it said proved Hollande was having an affair with an actress.

On Saturday, the French president announced their seven-year relationship was over. On Monday, Trierweiler visited the children in the pediatric ward of a public hospital in Mumbai and spoke with mothers about nutrition. “I cannot stand that these children have less chances than others,” said Trierweiler, a career journalist who has three children from a previous marriage. “We should give same chances to all. We have (here) children who suffer from malnutrition, that is why I am here today.”

The statement marked Trierweiler’s first public comments since the scandal erupted. She did not discuss her relationship

France’s ex-first lady Valerie Trierweiler speaks during a news conference next to a poster of aid group Action Against Hunger at the Taj hotel in Mumbai, on Monday, January 27.

In her first public appearance since the French president broke up with her, Trierweiler bristled Monday when asked about her future during a charity visit to India and said, “don’t worry about me.” (AP Photo)

with Hollande, and canceled a planned visit to a Mumbai slum, though she maintained plans for a gala dinner Monday night in conjunction with aid group Action Against Hunger.

The long-planned trip to India has provided the former first lady with a convenient escape from the Parisian chattering classes, an opportunity to establish her independence and quash criticism that she may try to cling to the trappings of power even though she and the president never married.

After the hospital visit, Trierweiler posted a photograph of a mother and child in a message on her Twitter account that read:

RTE has failed to enable the disabled: Study

New Delhi, JaNuary 27 (ageNcies): Three years after the RTE Act came into effect promising free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14 years and special focus on admission and retention of children with disabilities, an NCERT study has found that disabled children in schools across states still face serious infrastructure and pedagogy handicaps.

Apart from absence of ramps and friendly toilets in schools, the larger problem that almost all disabled children face in the classroom is the absence of special teaching material and sensitive trained teachers.

In Gujarat’s Kheda district, a child with locomotor disability said he never leaves his wheelchair due to non-availability of a friendly toilet in his school. The NCERT report - ‘Status of Implementation of RTE Act in context of disadvantaged children at elementary stage’ - says that “poor infrastructure, non-availability of appropriate furniture for children with disabilities, non-availability of special aids and appli-

ances, poor quality of aids and appliances for children with locomotor disabilities are major challenges in the fulfilment of RTE to these children”.

The study adds that “educational materials for children with disabilities were non-existent in most sample schools.

States/ UTs have very limited vision of arranging different types of educational materials for children with various disabilities”.

The 2012-13 study on children with disabilities had revealed that while 99 per cent of these children liked attending regular schools but 57 per cent of teachers were not trained to understand their special needs.

The study was conducted by the NCERT’s department of elementary education in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, Orissa, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and the Union Territories of Puducherry and Andaman & Nicobar islands through questionnaires and interviews with school teachers, parents of disabled children and disabled students.

Respondents in Visakhapat-

nam and East Godavari districts said there were no Braille books, no assistive devices, no educational materials and no full-time special teachers making it extremely difficult to ensure RTE to children with visual impairments. In Visakhapatnam district, ramps and friendly toilets for children with locomotors disabilities were not appropriate.

Almost all respondents in Almora district of Uttarakhand said their schools did not have facilities and the hilly terrain further complicated their movements.

In Orissa, the NCERT study says, there is unhappiness over poor quality of wheelchairs and nonsupply of Braille aids despite repeated reminders. “Wheelchairs and tricycles are supplied to children with locomotors disabilities, though these cannot be used by them due to difficult terrain in Almora district”.

“Special shoes are supplied after one year of assessment, resulting in inappropriate sizes due to growth of feet. Complaint was sent but no satisfactory action was taken,” respondents are

quoted in the NCERT study. In Kerala, children have not been provided teaching-learning materials individually despite the fact that the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has a provision for Rs 3,000 per disabled child per year.

The report notes that functionaries and teachers at state-, district- and block-levels were aware of provisions of the RTE Act to a great extent but “orientation of teachers for RTE (except in Orissa) did not include information about disadvantaged and children with disabilities”. In Jharkhand, respondents pointed out how “there were no special teachers at school level to help children with disabilities; teachers have not been trained to teach children with disabilities; and parents do not bring their children with disabilities to school regularly”.

Sixteen of 25 head teachers/ teachers in four districts of Gujarat maintained that it was extremely difficult to teach children with severe mental challenges and multiple disabilities in the classroom. In Andhra Pradesh,

teachers said that “it is difficult to ensure RTE to children with mental disabilities due to behaviour problems and very limited ability to learn. They maintained that these children should be sent to special schools. Respondents in Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts said there were no Braille books, no assistive devices, no educational materials and no full-time special teachers”.

The report notes that in Kerala “almost all respondents in both the districts said they encountered difficulties in teaching different categories of children with disabilities. They said that behaviour problem of children with mental disabilities (challenges) makes it difficult to manage classroom teaching. These teachers do not have any special training and they find themselves helpless in dealing with children with mental challenges. Two of the teachers said that in a class of 50 children, it is extremely difficult to pay attention to children with a mental challenge and they try to help these children by explaining to them personally”.

“Alongside ACF (Action Against Hunger) in India to fight malnutrition. A child dies of hunger every 30 seconds.” She also posted a message thanking the staff of the French presidential palace for their “devotion.”

Trierweiler’s chief of staff, Patrice Biancone, told The Associated Press that her office as first lady would be formally eliminated Wednesday. “These last few days have been difficult. But today, she is serene,” he said on Sunday. The head of Action Against Hunger told the AP that Trierweiler planned to commit herself to humanitarian work.

Meanwhile in France, Hollande is facing a wave

of discontent over his economic policies. On Sunday, some 17,000 people marched through central Paris to denounce the country’s high taxes, high unemployment and economic stagnation. His approval rating in France stands at about 30%. Some 250 people were arrested and 19 police officers injured after the protest degenerated into violence.

In an interview published Sunday and conducted before he split with Trierweiler, Hollande renewed his plea for privacy. He told Time magazine that “private life is always, at certain times, a challenge. And it has to be respected.”

India ranked 155th on Yale’s environmental performance index

washiNgtoN, JaNuary 27 (iaNs): Despite an improvement in overall performance, India comes out worst among other emerging economies, including China, in efforts to address environmental challenges, with dramatic declines on air quality, according to Yale University researchers. India ranks 155th out of 178 countries in the 2014 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) issued by Yale University, while China ranks 118th, Brazil 77th, Russia 73rd, and South Africa 72nd.

A bottom performer on nearly every policy issue included in the 2014 EPI, with the exception of forests, fisheries, and water resources, India’s performance lags most notably in the protection of human health from environmental harm, the New Heaven, Connecticut-based institution said in a media release. “In particular, India’s air quality is among the worst in the world, tying China in terms of the proportion of the population exposed to average air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organisation thresholds,” it said.

“Although India is an ‘emerging market’ alongside China, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa, its environment severely lags behind these others,” said Angel Hsu of the Yale Centre for Environmental Law and Policy and lead author of the report. Switzerland comes in at the very top of the 2014 EPI. Luxembourg, Australia, Singapore and the Czech Republic round up the top five positions of the index, which ranks countries on high-priority environmental concerns that include air quality, water management and climate change.

International

The Morung Express

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Dimapur

9

Syria talks yield narrow deal, Assad ‘red line’ GENEVA, JANuAry 27 (AP): Two days of face-toface peace talks yielded a narrow and tentative agreement Sunday for women and children trapped in a besieged Syrian city, and the government said President Bashar Assad had no intention of giving up “the keys to Damascus.”

With little progress to show after months of international pressure for the conference in Geneva, the U.N. mediator hoping to broker an end to Syria’s civil war defended their pace.

“I think being too slow is a better way than going too fast,” Lakhdar Brahimi said. “If you run, you may gain one hour and lose one week.”

The limited agreement to let women and children leave a blockaded part of the old city of Homs, under negotiation for at least two days, fell far short of expectations and was called into question by multiple reports of government shelling.

The talks have yet to touch upon the issue of a possible transitional government — their purpose according to terms laid out when they were first conceived. But the government was unequivocal that Assad’s future was assured in the country led by his family since 1970.

Monzer Akbik, a spokesman of the Syrian National Coalition, Syria’s main political opposition group briefs the media, at the European headquarters of the United Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 26. Syrians on opposite sides of their country’s civil war tried again Sunday to find common ground, with peace talks focusing on an aid convoy to a besieged city that once more came under mortar attack from the government. (AP Photo)

“This is a red line. If some people think we are coming here to give them the keys of Damascus they are wrong,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mikdad, echoing the language U.S. President Barack Obama used to describe a chemical weapons attack in Syria.

In Syria, the war continued as if there were no effort to stop it — gunfire and shelling in Homs, between Assad’s forces and rebels, and between the alQaida-linked militants and Kurdish fighters, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The blockaded districts of Homs came under intense fire that activists blamed on the government, calling into question how any deals reached in remote Switzerland could be implemented or verified in a chaotic civil war with dozens of players that began as a largely peace-

months of his government’s terms, he said, it would focus on seven priority areas and implement projects that will directly benefit the people in terms of electricity, water supply, agriculture development, employment creation, tourist development, financial development and trade and investment development.

He invited all development partners to closely cooperate with his government under the Nay Pyi Taw Accord for social and economic development of Myanmar.

Organised by the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development (NPED), the inaugural session of the two-day forum was also attended

by Myanmar Vice President Sai Mauk Kham, World Bank (WB) President Jim Yong Kim, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) Under Secretary General and Executive Director Noeleen Heyzer as well as related ministers, parliament members, representatives from development partners, donor countries, local and foreign non-governmental organizations and social organizations.

JErusALEM, JANuAry 27 (AP): The Palestinians’ “extreme and reckless” rejection of an Israeli suggestion that some Jewish settlers remain in a future Palestinian state proves that they don’t want peace, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Monday.

The harshly worded statement follows a flurry of back-and-forth condemnations sparked by an Associated Press report that Netanyahu believes all Jewish settlers should have the right to remain in their homes in a future Palestine.

Israelis and Palestinians are currently engaged in peace talks that have showed no signs of progress.

In years of negotiations, it has been assumed that any Jewish settlers not inside Israeli territory under a future peace deal would have to leave or be forcibly removed. But a government official told the AP on Sunday that Netanyahu believes there is no reason a future Palestinian state should be “ethnically cleansed.”

The idea was immediately rejected by the Palestinians and the settlers themselves. It also set off a series of angry rebukes from Netanyahu’s coalition partners — and even

Myanmar president seeks cooperation for development

yANGoN, JANuAry 27 (IANs): Myanmar President U Thein Sein on Monday urged development partners to work hand in hand with his government for future development of the country.

He made the call at the opening of the Second Myanmar Development Cooperation Forum which kicked off in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw under the theme, ‘Accelerating actions for progress through enhancing inclusive coordination’, Xinhua reported.

Telling the forum that Myanmar has projected 9.1 percent GDP growth rate for the fiscal year 2014-15, he called for systematic management and utilisation of development aid and concessional loan, technical assistance and local and foreign investment in order to achieve the targeted growth rate.

He disclosed that Myanmar has formulated its first five-year national development plan as well as Myanmar comprehensive development plan.

He said this was done with the belief that its would help development partners to better align their aid, support and as-

sistance with the country’s development priorities and plans and to continue cooperating with the government in its reform process and make the development plan more effective.

He recalled that during the past 30 months, the government has undertaken four phases of reform process with momentum, namely political reform, economic reform, public administration reform and private sector development reform.

The first phase has created favourable conditions for national reconciliation with mutual understanding built with ethnic minority groups, while the second phase achieved good socioeconomic development outcome, with the country gaining 7.3 percent GDP growth rate in 2012-13 which exceeded the projected growth rate of 6.7 percent.

The third phase, which is being carried out, is to reduce central control and improve administrative capacity of local governments, while the fourth phase is to improve law-governing economy, trade and investment as well as logistical and institutional infrastructure.

In the remaining

ful uprising against Assad.

More than 130,000 people have died in less than three years, and millions of Syrians have fled their homes.

Brahimi acknowledged that the agreement for Homs fell short of his hope to send a humanitarian aid convoy to the city. But, he said, “to bring Syria out

of the ditch in which it has fallen will take time.”

There have been a number of short-lived, local truces reached between opposition-held towns and government forces in recent months that, including in Moadamiyeh, a sprawling rebel-held community west of Damascus, where about 5,000 residents were allowed to evacuate in the fall.

Monzer Akbik, an opposition spokesman, said the coalition was still determined to stay for the political talks set to begin Monday despite accusing the government of stalling.

“They were sidestepping some issues and saying they want to refer back to Damascus for answers. It is clear to us that the regime delegation is not in charge of its own decisions,” Akbik said.

Both sides claim to represent the Syrian people.

The Western-backed opposition, made up largely of exiled Syrians, says Assad has lost legitimacy and can no longer lead a country after unleashing the military on largely peaceful protests nearly three years ago. They say Assad is being propped up by aid, weapons and fighters from Iran and Russia.

The government says the rebellion is rife with

cials saying his life was in danger.

“These people, and they are government officials, have said they would love to put a bullet in my head or poison me when I come out of the supermarket and then watch me die in the shower,” Snowden said. Questions about U.S. government spying on civilians and foreign officials became heated last June when Snowden leaked documents outlining the widespread collection of telephone records and email.

Snowden was granted asylum in Russia last summer after fleeing the United States, where he is wanted on espionage charges for leaking information about government surveillance practices.

The revelations shocked Germany, a country especially sensitive after the abuses by the Gestapo during the Nazi reign and the Stasi in Communist East Germany during the Cold War. Reports the NSA monitored Merkel’s mobile phone have added to the anger in Germany, which has been pushing for a ‘no-spy’ agreement with the United States, a country it considers to be among its closest allies.

“What I can say is that we know that Angela Merkel was monitored by the NSA,” said Snowden, wearing a dark suit and loose-fitting white shirt. “But

said a list of names submitted by the opposition was greatly exaggerated, adding the government had no children in its jails, while the opposition said it had no control over the militants who have kidnapped hundreds of people, including aid workers and journalists.

Back in Syria, residents were following the talks closely, despite deep cynicism that they would achieve any concrete results.

“I watch the TV news twice a day and whenever else I have time,” said Ghassan Matta, a 47-year-old businessman in Damascus.

Qutaiba al-Rifai, 35, a private sector employee in Damascus said the peace talks in Geneva were premature and neither side was prepared.

“Till now, it’s unclear whether it’s a negotiations conference or a dialogue between the two sides.”

Monday’s talks promised to be far more difficult, and Brahimi wouldn’t predict how often the two sides could sit in the same room.

Al-Mikdad, the government official, said the opposition must come to the table “with their dreams outside the room when we sit and discuss concrete issues on the future of Syria.”

Israel criticizes Palestinian stance on settlers

Israeli soldiers form a buffer between Israeli settlers from the settlement of Itamar, and residents of the nearby Palestinian village Beit Furik, in the West Bank near Nablus, on January 20. Palestinian villagers say the settlers were trying to attack houses in the village. The Israeli military says it rushed to the area to break up a ‘confrontation’ between the sides, and the incident quickly ended without any injuries. (AP Photo)

within his own ruling Likud Party. In the harshest criticism, Cabinet Minister Naftali Bennett, head of the pro-settler Jewish Home Party, called on Netanyahu to disavow the concept, which he called “ethical insanity.” “Whoever imagines that Jews in the land of Israel can live under Palestinian rule undermines our living in Tel Aviv,” he said.

The prime minister’s office lambasted the critics, saying they were undermining an effort to expose the Palestinians’ true intentions.

“Nothing shows the Palestinian Authority’s unwillingness to reach an accord with Israel than their extreme and

reckless reaction to an unofficial report,” the office said in a statement. “An accord will only be reached when the Palestinians recognized the Jewish state and when the essential interests to the security of Israeli citizens are guaranteed.”

The Palestinians consider settlements built beyond Israel’s 1967 borders to be illegal land grabs.

They rejected the idea of incorporating them into a future state and accused Israel of floating the idea to scuttle talks. “Anyone who says he wants to keep settlers in the Palestinian state is actually saying that he doesn’t want a Palestin-

Snowden says ‘significant threats’ to his life

BErLIN, JANuAry 27 (rEutErs): Former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden told German TV on Sunday about reports that U.S. government officials want to assassinate him for leaking secret documents about the NSA’s collection of telephone records and emails.

In what German public broadcaster ARD said was Snowden’s first television interview, Snowden also said he believes the NSA has monitored other top German government officials along with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Snowden told ARD that he felt there are “significant threats” to his life but he said that he nevertheless sleeps well because he believes he did the right thing by informing the public about the NSA’s activities.

“I’m still alive and don’t lose sleep for what I did because it was the right thing to do,” said Snowden at the start of what ARD said was a six-hour interview that was filmed in a Moscow hotel suite. ARD aired 40 minutes of the six-hour interview. “There are significant threats but I sleep very well,” he said before referring to a report on a U.S. website that he said quoted anonymous U.S. offi-

terrorists and that Assad is the only person able to end the fighting, blaming the West and Gulf states — especially Saudi Arabia — of turning the country into an al-Qaida haven.

Homs was considered a promising place to start the negotiations.

The city was one of the first areas that plunged into armed conflict in 2011.

Neighborhoods in the old city have been ravaged and emptied of residents following repeated government assaults to reclaim control from rebels. Activists say about 800 families are trapped, without regular access to food, medicine and basic necessities.

“The regime is blocking all convoys to Homs and has been doing so for months,” a senior U.S. official said on condition of anonymity because the talks remain sensitive. “The situation in Homs is extremely urgent. Anything the government says to the contrary is false.”

Syrian activists, including the Observatory, said some rebel-held districts in Homs came under attack Sunday morning by mortar shells fired by government forces.

The two sides failed to reach agreement on a prisoner exchange, as Brahimi had hoped. Al-Mikdad

the question is how logical is it that she’s the only one who was monitored, how likely is it that she was the German person the NSA was watching? “I’d say that it’s not very likely that anyone who was watching the German government was only watching Merkel and not her advisers nor other government officials nor ministers, heads of industries or even local government officials.”

Snowden said the NSA is active in industrial espionage and will grab any intelligence it can get its hands on regardless of its national security value. He said the NSA doesn’t limit its espionage to issues of national security and he cited German engineering firm Siemens (SIEGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) as a target. “If there’s information at Siemens that’s beneficial to U.S. national interests - even if it doesn’t have anything to do with national security - then they’ll take that information nevertheless,” Snowden said, according to ARD, which recorded the interview in Russia where he has claimed asylum.

TARGETS Snowden’s claim the NSA is engaged in industrial espionage follows a New York Times report earlier this month that the NSA

This photo provided by The Guardian Newspaper in London shows Edward Snowden, who worked as a contract employee at the National Security Agency, on Sunday, June 9, 2013, in Hong Kong.

(AP Photo)

put software in almost 100,000 computers around the world, allowing it to carry out surveillance on those devices and could provide a digital highway for cyberattacks.

The NSA planted most of the software after gaining access to computer networks, but has also used a secret technology that allows it entry even to computers not connected to the Internet, the newspaper said, citing U.S. officials, computer experts and documents leaked by Snowden.

The newspaper said the technology had been in use since at least 2008 and relied on a covert

channel of radio waves transmitted from tiny circuit boards and USB cards secretly inserted in the computers.

Frequent targets of the programme, code-named Quantum, included units of the Chinese military and industrial targets.

Snowden faces criminal charges after fleeing to Hong Kong and then Russia, where he was granted at least a year’s asylum.

He was charged with theft of government property, unauthorized communication of national security information and giving classified intelligence data to an unauthorised person.

ian state,” Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said.

“No settler will be allowed to stay in the Palestinian state, not even a single one, because settlements are illegal and the presence of the settlers on the occupied

lands is illegal.”

More than 500,000 settlers live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories that Israel captured in the 1967 war and which the Palestinians now hope will be part of their future state. East Jerusalem and the West Bank, known to religious Jews as Judea and Samaria, are parts of the biblical land of Israel. Hardline Israelis object to ceding either area on both spiritual and security grounds.

Netanyahu already has said he wants to retain major settlement “blocs,” home to the vast majority of settlers, as part of any deal. The Palestinians have signaled they would give up their claims to the lands where the blocs are located under a land swap giving them additional territory from what is now inside Israel.

10 Li Na's story is that of self-belief Dimapur

SPORTS

Tuesday

28 January 2014

China's Li Na poses for photos at Brighton Beach with her Australian Open trophy following her win over Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova in Melbourne on Jan. 26. (AP Photo)

BeiJiNg, JaNuary 27 (iaNs): When Li Na vowed to win another major a fortnight ago, many doubted if the Chinese star could deliver. At 30-plus, Li lived up to her word by winning the season's very first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park, reports Xinhua.

The fourth seed's 7-6 (3), 6-0 win over Dominika Cibulkova crowned her as the Australian Open champion on her third attempt after the 2011 and 2013 finals, adding to the French Open title she won three years ago. Li silenced those who suggested that her best was behind her, and with this victory, Li has proven she isn't a fluke.

China rejoiced over Li's latest triumph, with Web users and media praising the landmark achievement from the country's tennis trailblazer. However, the journey from Roland Garros to Melbourne Park is not just about name and fame. It's more about fail-

ZWA (N) meeting

ure, desperation, selfdoubt and thoughts of retirement.

In the past 31 months, Li has experienced a roller-coaster life and she had spent more than a whole year rebuilding faith in her game and career. Li had struggled to adjust to her new status as a major champion after the 2011 French Open while distractions of sponsors and media also drove her off her game. For almost a year, she had been without a title and even found it hard to reach a final. With expectations sky-high, Li saw her form nose-diving and she fled the press conference in tears after a fourth-round Australian Open defeat to Kim Clijsters in 2012. "I must handle the pressure of expectations from more than a billion people back home, and it's not easy," Li explained in her autobiography Du Zi Shang Chang, which literally means "Playing Myself".

Wawrinka still stunned he won Australian Open

MeLBOurNe, JaNuary 27 (aP): After winning the Australian Open, some players have jumped for joy into the Yarra River.

Many pop champagne and indulge in late-night celebrations. Most set new goals and start thinking about the Grand Slams they want to win next.

This was not the case for Stan Wawrinka, who woke up Monday morning groggy but sober and still stunned that he had beaten Rafael Nadal to win his first Grand Slam title.

"I still don't completely realize what's happened.

It still feels like a dream," Wawrinka told reporters, squinting in the sunlight for the winner's traditional day-after photo shoot on the banks of the river beside Melbourne Park.

Handed a bottle of champagne and told to spray it in celebration, he politely obliged and then put it down. Wawrinka was and still is pessimistic about denting the dominance of Roger Federer, Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray — the so-called Big Four who accounted for all but one of the previous 35 major titles.

"I really never dreamed about winning a Grand Slam," he said, clutching his trophy. "I don't know about doing it again. But I did it, and no one can take it back." The morning after the biggest day of his career, Wawrinka was more subdued than overjoyed.

His night went late but was tame. There was no big dinner or any food at all, no partying, just spending time with his team and having a Skype session with his wife and 3-year-old daughter in Switzerland. Now, he says he's looking forward to taking some time after the Davis Cup next weekend to reflect on "what happened" in Melbourne.

Here's what happened.

Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam. On his way to the title, he upset No. 2-ranked Djokovic in the quarterfinals and then

beat No. 1-ranked Nadal in the final, despite having never beaten either before.

He became the first man in 21 years to beat the top two players before winning a major.

As a result, Wawrinka rises to a career-high ranking of No. 3, moving five spots up from No. 8.

The 28-year-old becomes Switzerland's highest-ranked player for the first time in his career, overtaking 17-time Grand Slamwinner Federer, his friend and mentor, who started the Australian Open at No. 6 and was expected to drop to No. 8 despite reaching the semifinals.

"Everything that's happened is quite crazy," Wawrinka said. "When you're No. 3 and you win a Grand Slam, journalists expect you to say, 'Now I want to be No. 1.' But I feel it's so far for me, so far from my level.

That's why it's not my goal."

Relentlessly aggressive on the court, Wawrinka gives the impression offcourt that he doesn't want to revel in his success for fear of jinxing it. Occasionally, he allows himself to be proud.

"Now I know I can beat everybody. The big stage in a Grand Slam doesn't matter," said Wawrinka, but added that he's in the same position as Juan Martin del Potro, whose title at the 2009 U.S. Open is the only one of the past 35 majors not won by the Big Four.

"Since (del Potro) won the U.S. Open everybody wants him to win another Grand Slam. But it's not that simple." He doesn't like to think too far ahead, but indulged one question about what it will be like to walk through the halls of Rod Laver Arena next year and see his picture up on the walls with the other champions.

"First thing I will do, I'm going to come back and take a picture of myself," Wawrinka said. "Again it's a dream. It's big. When I see all those champions, for me, they're the real champions. To be there is just something crazy

Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka poses with his Australian Open trophy on the banks of the Yarra River following his win over Spain's Rafael Nadal on Sunday evening in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 27. (AP Photo)

Big shake-up at top of rankings

LONDON, JaNuary 27 (reuters): An Australian Open that began in a heatwave and contained seismic shocks aplenty ended with Stanislas Wawrinka defeating Rafa Nadal to further undermine the superiority of the so-called big four in men's tennis.

In reaching the final after missing last year's tournament Nadal has cemented his world No. 1 ranking and will be hard to shift from the summit but below him the landscape is changing. Novak Djokovic, whose bid for a fourth consecutive Australian Open title was thwarted by the inspired Wawrinka, remains No. 2 but both Andy Murray and Roger Federer are falling, to numbers six and eight respectively.

There are mitigating factors in Murray's case because he missed the final

third of last year because of a back surgery which, as proved in his loss to Federer, will require time before he regains his former strength and power.

Federer, who played beautifully to reach the semis, was outplayed by Nadal and the suspicion remains that while still majestic at his best, his chances of adding to his record haul of 17 grand slam titles are receding. Wawrinka's wonderful fortnight in Melbourne has propelled him to third in the rankings, making him Switzerland's number one after a career spent in Federer's shadow.

At number four is burly Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who before Wawrinka's defeat of Nadal, was the last player to muscle into the grand slam winners' club dominated for the past decade by Fe-

derer, Nadal, Djokovic and more recently Murray. Del Potro's second-round exit in Melbourne can be seen as a blip and with his injury woes behind him he will be dangerous at all the remaining slams this year.

Melbourne semi-finalist Tomas Berdych, at number seven, will also take heart from Wawrinka's breakthrough after regularly reaching the business end of grand slam tournaments, only to fall short against the big guns.

Spain's David Ferrer will slip from three to five in Monday's ranking list and while he will continue to hustle and bustle, his career looks unlikely to include a major title.

Although the quartet of Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and Federer will, for now, continue to be the first names brought up when

talking of the main challengers at the big tournaments, the gap between them and the rest is shrinking. Wawrinka, still at the peak of his powers at 28, is the spearheading the assault with Del Potro and Berdych in close support but others are lurking in the undergrowth.

Bulgaria's 22-year-old Grigor Dimitrov will enter the world's top 20 for the first time and his run to the quarter-finals in Australia where he hade Nadal in all sorts of trouble could prove a pivotal moment in his career. The women's game has also been given a shake-up this past fortnight with Serena Williams surprisingly beaten by a rejuvenated Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova losing to Dominika Cibulkova and Victoria Azarenka going out Agnieszka Radwanska.

DiMaPur, JaNuary 27 (MexN): Vikheho Swu, Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation and Flood Control and President of Nagaland Badminton Association (NBA), along with Watizulu, senior vice president, NBA attended the general meeting of Badminton Association of India (BAI) at Lucknow on January 24 & 25. The meeting coincided with Syed Modi International India Grand Prix Gold Badminton Championship.

Watizulu was inducted as a member of executive committee of BAI. Saying that there is a need for opening up bad-

minton academies in the state to tap the unexplored talent of badminton and for subsequent development and promotion of the game in the state, the Parliamentary Secretary, urged the government to include badminton in the state academy of sports.

During the general meet, BAI resolved that states like Nagaland will host at least one national level badminton tournament in two years. In this regard, Swu informed that there was positive response from the chief minister of Nagaland when apprised of the resolution passed by the asso-

ciation. Swu was optimistic that Nagaland could soon have a badminton stadium of national standard that can be utilized as a venue for national events.

There are at least 20 national level badminton tournaments of different categories which are conducted throughout the year across the country. Adopting new policies for provision of shuttlers in the country, President of the state badminton association stated BAI would constitute a special fund of Rs 25 lakhs each year for assistance of former players at the national level.

Unfazed Barca wins to keep co-lead NBA participates in BAI general meet

DiMaPur, JaNuary 27 (MexN): The Zeliang Wrestling Association (N) has informed that there will be an executive meeting on January 30 at Jalukie town.

The time and venue will be intimated later.

All the office bearers, ex-presidents and wellwishers are requested to attend the meeting.

38th National Badminton C'ship 2014

DiMaPur, JaNuary 27 (MexN): The Nagaland Badminton Association (NBA) has informed badminton enthusiasts that the 38th Masters (Veteran) National Badminton Championship 2014 will be held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, from February 26 to March 2. NBA informed interested players to submit their entries in the BAI prescribed format which can be downloaded from the official website of Badminton Association of India - www. bai.org. The last date of submission will be on January 29. For players possessing BAI IDs, the last date for submission will be February 5. The categories are +35, +45, and, +55, singles and doubles (men, women and mixed doubles). Interested persons may contact at 9436609258.

The Morung Express

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, center, duels for the ball with Malaga's Flavio, second left, and goalkeeper Willy Caballero during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday Jan. 26. (AP Photo)

BarCeLONa, JaNuary 27 (aP): Barcelona was unfazed by the recent departure of its club president amid a lawsuit as it eased to a 3-0 win over Malaga on Sunday to reclaim its share of the Spanish league lead.

Lionel Messi didn't score but he played a part in two goals, setting up Pedro Rodriguez to make it 2-0 in the 55th after Gerard Pique had opened the scoring five minutes before

halftime. Pedro then took Messi's pass and crossed for Alexis Sanchez to tap in the hosts' third in the 61st.

Atletico Madrid stayed level with Barcelona at the top of the standings by romping to a 4-2 win at Rayo Vallecano as Diego Costa scored his 20th league goal of the season.

Both title rivals ended a run of two straight draws to restore a one-point advantage over Real Madrid.

The match at Camp Nou came just three days after Sandro Rosell stepped down to fight a lawsuit alleging that he misappropriated funds by hiding the true cost of signing of Brazil star Neymar. He and the club deny the accusations.

Josep Bartomeu attended his first match as the Catalan club's 40th president in the Camp Nou stands.

Pique said that although he didn't know if Rosell's

exit was good for the club, he was sure the administrative turmoil hadn't affected the squad's focus on defending its Spanish league title. "We continue competing the same way we have in recent years," said Pique.

"Off the pitch, it is something people talk about, but on the pitch it affects us very little.

"After all the bad moments we have had in these recent years we have maintained the league lead and that shows this group is strong and that we can stay on top," Pique said in a possible reference to the team dealing with former coach Tito Vilanova's and player Eric Abidal's illnesses.

Far from distracted, Gerardo Martino's team played one of its best games of the season, bombarding Malaga with 18 shots on-target of all types and from all angles.

Martino, in fact, said he was more concerned about "not winning by a wider margin" than the club's leadership.

Pique broke through when he used his stomach to control a corner kick flicked on

by Alexis, sized up Willy Caballero and then drove the ball under the Malaga goalie.

Pique headed another corner kick against the woodwork moments before Pedro slotted inside the far post. Messi then dribbled at the Malaga defense to draw them in before laying off for Pedro, who found Alexis alone to score. Barcelona's Ibrahim Afellay went on as a late substitute after recovering from a six-month injury layoff. It was his first appearance for Barcelona since May 2012.

Manchester United unveils Mata

MaNCHester, JaNuary 27 (ageNCies): Juan Mata has been unveiled as Manchester United's new No 8. It was expected that the Spaniard would take the iconic Old Trafford No 7 shirt, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, George Best and Eric Cantona, but the £37million playmaker has taken No 8, last worn by Anderson, now on loan at Fiorentina. Mata completed his move to Old Trafford over the weekend and manager Moyes desperately needs him to help turn around a poor season that sees United out of the two domestic cup competitions and 14 points off the pace in the Barclays Premier League.

The former Chelsea man revealed his delight at joining his new side after what he called a 'difficult' final six months at Stamford Bridge. “Man United is a massive club, with the most fans around the world and

Manchester United's new signing Juan Mata, right, displays his new shirt alongside manager David Moyes at the team's Carrington training ground, Monday, January 27. (AP Photo)

so it is a big challenge. It is a big step and everything will be fine with this squad and the players that will come in the summer.” Mata also pointed to the chance to play with Wayne Rooney as a major factor in his move.

He said: "I can't wait to play alongside him.” Mata recognised his new side's

troubles this season but was optimistic of the club’s character of coming back from difficult moments.

Being benched under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea was also harming Mata's World Cup ambitions with Spain, an issue he is determined to remedy with the move to Old Trafford.

Entertainment

The Morung Express

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Dimapur

11

Queen Latifah married 33 couples Latifah officiated over at the Grammy Award theQueen marriages of 33 couples at the

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Members from the Signal Fellowship perform a dance titled “Hornbill: The Pride of Nagaland” during the youth worship service held at Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA) on January 27 evening. Through their creativity, the troupe raised the level of awareness and encouraged the congregation to get involved in the care for the Hornbill Bird with the message, “Life is life. With very species gone, the world dies a little bit more. Live and let it live!” (Photo courtesy/Aden Jamir)

he rapper-and-actress who was recently deputised by Los Angeles County to legally conduct wedding ceremonies - officiated over the nuptials of both gay and straight pairings while Macklemore and Ryan Lewis performed their equality anthem 'Same Love' with Mary Lambert and Trombone Shorty.

With the stage at Los Angeles' Staples Center set to resemble a chapel complete with stained glass windows, Latifah said ''We are gathered here to celebrate love and harmony in every key and every colour.''

Many of the couples and audience members - including Keith Urban - were visibly moved to

tears during the ceremony. Following the nuptials, Madonna - clad in a white suit - stepped through a neon alter to sing her 1986 hit 'Open Your Heart' to the newlyweds, which included Ryan's sister Laura and her boyfriend.

Katy Perry - who is dating John Mayer and was previously married to Russell Brand - later sent her congratulations to the couples and revealed she had caught one of the bouquets thrown into the crowd, a tradition which claims the person catching the flowers will be the next to wed.

She wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of her with the flowers ''Congrats to all the #samelove

couples tonight. You had me in tears of joy for y'all! Also...

Look who caught the bouquet!!! #okuuuurrrr ''

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Grammy Awards on Sunday night (26.01.14), with the newlyweds then serenaded by Madonna.

A MILLION REASONS TO ENJOY THE

END OF SEASON

STORES ASSOCIATED:

Upstairs MTF Live series 2014: White Noise is a Project band from Dimapur, a modern alternative rock band with members from different bands coming together just for the sake of creating beautiful music! White Noise are Wapong Ozukum- Vocals/Acoustic Guitar; Atsa Lang Roths-Guitar/Vocals; Akok Imsong- Synthe/Vocals; Vitz Zhimo- Percussions/ Vocals’ and Imlier Jamir- Bass.

GRAVITY Kohima ¤ GRAVITY Mokokchung ¤ GRAVITY Dimapur NIKE Kohima ¤ NIKE Dimapur ¤ FILA Kohima ¤ FILA Dimapur BENETTON Kohima ¤ BENETTON Dimapur ¤ HUB Kohima REEBOK Circular Road Dimapur ¤ Quality Care Kohima ¤ Samsonite & American Tourister Kohima ¤ ADIDAS Kohima ¤ ADIDAS Mokokchung ¤ ADIDAS Wokha

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The Santosh Trophy qualifying match for the North East Zone began today in Aizawl, Mizoram. Mizoram (in red) defeated Nagaland (in white) by three goals. (Morung Photo)

Dominant Heat shows why they are NBA champs

MIAMI, JAnuAry 27 (AP): Dwyane Wade came off the bench for the first time in more than six years.

The Larry O'Brien Trophy wasn't at stake. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sported a casual, no-tie look. An NBA Finals rematch, yes. An NBA Finals replay, it was not.

Either way, it still wound up going how the Miami Heat wanted. Chris Bosh scored 24 points on 9 for 10 shooting — making him 17 for his last 18 from the floor — and LeBron James added 18 points as the Heat rolled past the San Antonio Spurs 113-101 on Sunday, never trailing and leading by as many as 29 points along the way.

"Did that feel like The Finals? No, it did not feel like The Finals," is how Heat coach Erik Spoelstra opened his postgame remarks, without anyone even asking the question.

Mario Chalmers scored 16 points for Miami, which used Wade as a reserve for the first time since Jan. 6, 2008. Wade — an All-Star starter again this season — had not played in any of

Miami Heat's Chris Andersen (11) forces San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili (20) to pass the ball off during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Miami on Jan. 26. (AP Photo)

Miami's most recent four games while dealing with ongoing knee rehabilitation, and finished with eight points and five assists in 24 minutes. Wade said not starting was his idea, and

seemed generally pleased with his first game in nine days. "I've only had one practice in a while," Wade said. "Team was in a good groove. I wanted to work my way into my rhythm."

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