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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 328
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If you control debt, you control everything
Tarun Tejpal remanded in police custody for 6 days
‘Fast & Furious’ star Paul Walker dies in crash
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your answer to 9862574165 Is Hornbill Festival the best way of promoting Naga culture and ways of living? Yes
no
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Are you satisfied with the progress Nagaland State has made in the last 50 years? Yes no
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Details on page 7
NPCC reiterates December 3 bandh DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 1 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee has decided to go ahead with its 12 hr bandh (6 am to 6 pm) in Dimapur on December 3, for the removal of charge sheeted Health and Family Welfare Minister, Imkong L Imchen. NPCC in a press note stated that the decision has been taken, “since the State government remains non committal while remaining wholly engrossed in festive mood.” It appealed for all NGOs, Civil Societies, Student bodies, Business Organisations/ Associations, Trade Unions and all right thinking citizens to extend their co-operation. NPCC requested the District administration and the police to take precautionary measures to ensure that no untoward incidents occur during the bandh. The bandh will shutdown all business establishments, govt establishments including banks, vehicular traffic and total restrictions on movement which also extends to staffs of railways, airport/airlines except officials and volunteers on duty and those on exempted list, informed the NPCC.
Those exempted from purview of the bandh:
1. Military personnel and vehicles 2. Police and law enforcing agencies 3. Magistrates on duty 4. Medical staff 5. Media Personnel with proper identification papers 6. Guests for attending weddings with Invitation card within given timeframe 7. Students appearing board exams in full school uniform and in possession of ID Card 8. School Buses and Private vehicles including Auto Rickshaws carrying exam bound students only.In no case, the above mentioned vehicles will move without students.
GPRN/NSCN bans donations during the festive season
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DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 1 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN has banned all forms of donation during the festive seasons. A press note from MIP cautioned all civil and military set-ups against seeking assistance/donations from business outlets and stated that “violators will be strictly penalized.” It further informed all business out-lets to call the Chaplee Secretary at 9862010000, if such incidents occur.
Monday, December 2, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4 –Anon
“Celebrating the Naga Way”
Tottenham holds [ PAGE 02] ManU to a draw Call to critique unjust tourism structures and practices
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The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn
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Let Nagaland lead the way in building a new future: President Rio: 16 point agreement be honoured in letter and spirit
Chizokho Vero
Kisama | December 1
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, today said the traditions and practices of the Naga people are “rich and unique” and called upon the people of India to “discover Nagaland,” contribute to the local economy and strengthen bonds. “Nagaland has come a long way since attaining statehood. Its achievements in human development and industrial growth are praiseworthy. Yet, there remains much to be done. In a modern globalised world, the expectations of our people are high. There is need for infrastructure and connectivity. Youth should have jobs. There should be visible improvement in the quality of life. Development should be inclusive, equitable and sustainable,” he said while gracing the 50th anniversary of Nagaland’s statehood and Hornbill Festival here this morning. He congratulated the people of Nagaland and the State government for completing 50 years as a State. The world, he said, is undergoing rapid changes in information and technology; that “distance and nationality are no longer restraining factors—education and infrastructure are the key factors to development.” “Let the dark days of violence and conflict be left far behind. Let us together
Our Correspondent Kisama | December 1
President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, stands adorned in Naga traditional finery at the Nagaland State 50th statehood anniversary cum opening ceremony of the Hornbill Festival 2013 at Kisama Heritage Village, Kohima. Photo by Caisii Mao
move forward with faith in our common destiny. The Government of India is determined and duty bound to ensure that every Naga lives with dignity having equal rights and equal opportunities,” he said, adding, “Let Nagaland lead the way in building a new future for India. Let it set an example and show how the entire region can be transformed into an area of peace, stability and prosperity.” Stating that raising Nagaland to the ranks of leading states in the country is a goal which can be achieved
if there is vision, leadership and hard work, he said, “The central and state governments must join hands in a collective endeavour supported by all the people of the state and dedicate themselves to the attainment of this goal.” Considering the quality of its human and natural resources, Mukherjee maintained that the North East of India has “tremendous potential to achieve rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth.” “This region can become a magnet for ma-
jor investments from the rest of the country as well as abroad. It can turn itself into a major centre for trade and business. This region constitutes one of India’s most important opportunities of the future and it must be given the utmost importance and attention by our political leaders, policy makers, administrators and all other stakeholders,” he said. Also stating that India is making determined progress in every field of activity, he said, “I am confident that India will soon emerge
as a strong and powerful nation, our economy will continue to witness rapid growth and people will enjoy a high quality of life as well as freedom, justice and equality.” Also expressing happiness that many youth from this region are engaged in hospitality and information technology sectors, working in different parts of the country, he called upon the youth of Nagaland to “join hands with the young in the rest of our country and together forge the future of our nation.”
Stating that the State of Nagaland was created as a result of the 16 Point Agreement 1960, and Article 371 (A) inserted into the Constitution of India, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said, “It is the prayer of the Naga people that the 16 points agreement and the special provisions of the Constitution be honoured in letter and spirit.” Conveying this to President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, during the opening ceremony of the Hornbill Festival and 50th anniversary of Nagaland’s statehood here this morning, Rio also hoped that the ongoing ceasefire and dialogue between the Government of India and Naga nationalist groups will bring an “honourable and acceptable” solution to the Naga political problem at the earliest and usher in an era of permanent peace and economic development. Extending greetings to the people of Nagaland on the statehood anniversary, Rio said, “Nagaland was born under very special and trying circumstances, involving many sacrifices on the part of the Naga leaders of that time. We honour and salute them for their contribution and sac-
rifice.” Rio challenged the people to remember and thank those political leaders, civil servants, church leaders, tribal leaders, the NGOs and leaders of civil society who had nurtured the State during its infancy and continue to work hard to bring peace and development. Nagaland Governor, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, greeted the people of Nagaland on the 50th Anniversary of Statehood and said that the Hornbill Festival is truly a “Festival of Festivals.” The Festival, he said, symbolizes an emerging Nagaland which is energetic, young and vibrant and is an opportunity to showcase “our rich cultural heritage.” The Governor called upon all to remember and pay respect to the erstwhile leaders and elders who are the architects of the State as they are responsible for creating a State which reflected an identity of simple people living in the hills. Dr. Kumar urged all the people and leaders to unite and strengthen the hands of the State government for greater progress, change and modernity in the society. “I am confident that all of us together will be able to overcome all the difficulties and realize the vision of a vibrant and economically developed Nagaland,” he said.
Commuters face traffic nightmare Do not suffer in isolation
KOHIMA, DECEMBER 1 (MExN): The inaugural day of the 2013 edition of the Hornbill Festival proved to be a traffic nightmare for many inter-state travelers, as well as visitors to the festival at Kisama Heritage Village. Traffic on the NH-29 stretch between Kohima and Jakhama was stranded for hours together on account of the visit President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, who graced the inaugural programme of the ‘Festival of Festivals’ as chief guest. Travellers and vehicles coming from Manipur side were stranded from 11:00 am till 2:30 pm. Visitors and local people
who started a bit late from Kohima to witness the festival did not fare better and many could not attend the inaugural programme. This year’s festival recorded the highest number of vehicles. From the main entrance gate to the venue, vehicles parked on both sides of the road stretched to Phesama village on one side and till Japfu Christian College on the other side. Some visitors had to alight from their vehicles and walk at least a kilometre from the road to reach the venue due to lack of parking spaces nearby. “Next time, the organizers should not invite VVIPs as chief guests to
Hornbill Festival as it creates hardships to common man and visitors. Especially in Kohima, the roads are too narrow and we don’t have alternative roads to travel when VVIPs come”, a local visitor commented. Many have stressed on the need to streamline traffic for convenience of both visitors to the festival and other commuters and vehicles plying on the highway. On Monday also, traffic on the NH29 stretch is not likely to improve, at least till noon, due to the traditional stone pulling ceremony organized by Viswema village, which is part of the Hornbill Festival.
‘Today eastern Nagaland is one of the darkest corners’
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 1 (MExN): As Nagaland goes into its 50th year celebration, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) has stated that “while the very existence of the state is presently subjected to de-creation into two separate and distinctive entities in the form of perhaps two separate states.” This was reminded in the context of the ENPO demand for ‘Frontier Nagaland.’ “While the ENPO congratulates the state of Nagaland and the people of the so-called advanced tribes on the 50th anniversary of jubilation and celebration, the creation and birth of the state of Nagaland yet continues to be a focal and a central subject of the overall socio-political Naga spectrum,” noted a press release from the president of ENPO, Chingmak Chang, and secretary, ENPO steering commit-
tee for statehood demand, Toshi Wungtung. The ENPO reminded that “Historically and geographically, the erstwhile Tuensang Frontier Division of the then North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) and the former Naga Hills of Assam of the then British Raj in post independent India Assam state merged together to form the present Nagaland state for the viability and welfare dispensation of the people of the above with all expectations of a modern governing state establishment in par with the rest of the country and the rest of the world, at least in the context of a modality, if not a promising and an excellent delivery apparatus for the welfare and progress of the people within.” And this, it pointed out, came about in the form of the “controversial sixteenth point agreement,” between the Government
of India and “the people of the above in through the Naga Peoples’ Convention.” While appreciating “sincere efforts and sagacity” for the “various developmental initiatives undertaken by the various successive government” since the inception of the State, the press release asserted that “the volume and comparative magnitude of welfare benefits and changes between the people and area of the former two is only too glaring.” In that, the ENPO has alleged the “deliberate and a systematic form of suppression, exploitation and negligence in all sophistry and manipulation, in which, the acute regional imbalances between the two former entities is nothing but a betrayal of the laid down agreement (the 16th point agreement) where, all hopes and expectations of the mutually agreed one-
ness and sharing as fellow Naga fraternity is nothing but a failed subject for the people of the eastern Nagas and is today the area of eastern Nagas of Nagaland in contrast with the other areas of the state is one of the darkest and mournful corners of the country, and for which the people of the former Frontier Division of NEFA under aegis of the ENPO have resolved to de-merge and demand a separate statehood called ‘Frontier Nagaland’ from the government of India.” The ENPO has maintained that any “redressal” apart from the provision of a separate assembly will be “too little too late.” With its motto of “development for peace and peace for development,” the Organisation has reiterated its demand for separate statehood “based on the geo-political history and political rights of the eastern Nagas.”
Morung Express news Dimapur | December 1
“The year 2013 has not been kind with respect to treatment, shortages of OI drugs, CD-4 Re-agents and CD machine break down,” stated Naomi, NNP+ President, during the observance of the 26th World Aids Day, held in Dimapur today. Speaking as someone living with HIV, she stated that the non-availability of viral load testing machine in the state is attributing to treatment failures and its risk. Does this help us in getting to a Zero prevalence rate, she questioned. The theme, “Getting to Zero should not only end on paper. We must see, feel, and experience actions targeting zero new infections, zero AIDS related death and zero discrimination”, she said. She further asserted that we have more questions than answers, as people living with HIV, with regard to “Getting to Zero”. “In Nagaland, till October 2013, there are 15,519 people living with HIV, out of which 4,382 are on ART treatment. Where are the balances? Are they not living contrary to the theme-“Getting to Zero”, she questioned. As such, Naomi informed HIV positive persons in Nagaland that treatment works, and encouraged them not to suffer in isolation for fear of stigma and discrimination. Instead, she urged them to
Stakeholders pledge towards an AIDS-Free Generation boldly come out and avail services that are provided free of cost by the government. She also made an appeal to stakeholders in the government as well as civil societies and the churches to make an honest effort to bring down the price of the costly life saving drugs. “Nagaland has one of the highest ratios of HIV/AIDS in the country, and it is not a laurel to consider,” stated Moa Phom from DNP+. Sharing concerns and perspectives of People Living with HIV (PLHIV), Moa stated that Nagaland’s present scenario related to HIV/ AIDS at the grassroot level is disappointing and lacking. He shared that PLHIV’s are going through hard times as the CD4 counting machine in the State is almost out of service, there is shortage of opportunistic infection medicine, no viral loading testing machine (funded by NACO but not sufficient because of limited fund) and lack of ART treatment literacy training. “Unabated Taxation, Corruption and HIV/AIDS are the three core issues that Nagas are facing today. It is time for us to address these issues because until we do so, we are bound
to become a failed society,” stated guest speaker, Joel Nilo Kath, Finance Secretary, Naga Council Dimapur. Sharing words of encouragement to the people living with HIV/AIDS, he said, “Please do not give up the fight. People like you are in the forefront, and only you can inspire us to take the step and to fight together.” He also urged people to reflect on if we are prepared to treat PLHIV with dignity, and not treat them as outcasts. Because, this is what “Shared Responsibility” means, and are we prepared for that, he asked. The seminar was held by the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU), Dimapur in collaboration with District Level network (DNP+) and Partner NGOs. The theme for the programme was ‘Shared Responsibility: Strengthening Results for an AIDS –Free Generation.’ The programme was also supported by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), Kohima, Legislative Forum on AIDS (LFA) & NNP+ VIHAAN-Nagaland. Representatives from the Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU) and The Naga Blog also pledged to fight against HIV/AIDS and extended support towards an HIV/AIDS free generation. Also, showing solidarity, the Nagaland Motorcycle Club “The Naga Chiefs” from Dimapur and Kohima participated in the programme.
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