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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 58
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Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies
AAP declares Russia third list of wresting Lok Sabha control of candidates Crimea from [ PAGE 8] Ukraine
State College of Teacher Education starts M.Ed prog [ PAGE 2]
‘Youth are the most important & Dynamic segment of population’ [ PAGE 5]
[ PAGE 9]
By Sandemo Ngullie
Morung Express News Dimapur | March 1
Stop yelling, Our Lord can hear you just fine.
President nod to Telangana bill, PR in Andhra An under privileged Indian woman who seeks alms from people at a traffic intersection walks carrying a sleeping child on her shoulders as another child accompanies her in New Delhi on March 1. (AP Photo)
nfHrcc on allegations of favouritism
DIMaPur, MarcH 1 (MExN): The Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has termed the allegation levelled against it by the Kyong Lower Range Students Union (KLRSU) as unfounded. Reacting to the KLRSU press statement, wherein the NFHRCC was accused of favouritism, NFHRCC convenor, Supu Jamir, co-convenor Hokiye Yepthomi and assistant general secretary, Dr. PS Lorin on Saturday debunked the KLRSU statement as “baseless and concocted.” The NFHRCC convened a meeting on March 1 in
Dimapur to deliberate on the charge of favouritism. In a press conference, the NFHRCC stated that contractors, Yashitsungba Aier and P. Imty Ao were approached by the committee to take up the foothill road connectivity project “as no one from other tribes came forward” to take up the task. “Rather on the request made by the Committee, the two contractors sacrificed and took up the contract work” even though the government was yet to sanction fund for the project, it was stated. Responding to the substandard work allegation
levelled against P. Imty Ao of Trident Enterprise, the NFHRCC maintained “the PWD (R&B) will be the competent authority to comment on this.” According to the NFHRCC, it will in no way compromise on the quality of work. While stating that the Foothill Road Connectivity project was initiated solely for the interest of Nagaland, the NFHRCC asked the KLRSU “not to confuse the Naga public” without understanding the true intent and history of the foothill road movement. Stating that the NFHRCC is open to constructive criticism, it appealed against criti-
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–Mother Teresa
Afghanistan register stunning 32run win over Bangladesh [ PAGE 12]
cising “just for the sake of criticism.” Hinting at behind the scene lobbying, the NFHRCC stated that members representing the Lotha sector in the NFHRCC were entrusted with the responsibility to “clarify as to who is behind the press statement... and the same be clarified... within three days so as to clear the confusion from the minds of the Naga people.” The NFHRCC further acknowledged the road widening works executed by the Diphupar Village Council and Naga United Village to make way for the foothill road.
Enrolment of elementary school children in rural Nagaland continues to be very high with 98.8% of all children in the age group 6-14 enrolled in schools in 2013 as against the national average of 96%. This is the fifth consecutive year that enrolment levels of elementary school children in rural Nagaland have touched 96% or more, according to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) facilitated by Pratham, an NGO working exclusively for promotion of elementary education in the country. ASER 2013 Nagaland (Rural) which was released Saturday at Pratham/ASER Dimapur centre, showed that enrolment in private schools in the State increased from 36.1% in 2010 to 39.4% in 2013. ASER 2013 Nagaland survey covered 10 districts (excluding Longleng), 262 villages, 5972 households, 11869 children and 255 government schools with primary sections. The report showed that though attendance in government schools is above the national average, attendance of both students and teachers has decreased
over the years. In Nagaland, teachers’ attendance in primary schools (Standard I to V) decreased from 87.2 % in 2010 to 82.9% in 2013 while students’ attendance declined from 81.9% in 2010 to 78.4 % in 2013. As per the report, 92.3% and 59.8% government schools in the State are following the Right to education (RTE) mandates on Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) and Classroom-Teacher Ratio (CTR)
text increased from 52.6% in 2010 to 56.4% in 2013. However, the report presented a bleak picture on the arithmetic front as the ability of the children to solve basic arithmetic presented a negative graph. According to the report, percentage of Class III children (all schools) who can do subtraction decreased from 85.6% in 2011 to 72.2% in 2013. Similarly, percentage of Class V students who can do basic division decreased from 40.5% in 2011 to 24.6 % in 2013. Interestingly, the reported also stated that only 28 % of the government schools served midday meals of the day of visit of the ASER team. In conclusion, the report stated that although enrolment at the elementary levels is very high, 9.1% of age group students, from 1516 years, are dropping out. The report also stated that facilities in government schools need a lot of improvement as compared to other states. The report also put forth challenges ahead for states to guarantee elementary education. The report was released in New Delhi in January this year, and is now being released in the various states of India. It is an all India report with statewise sub sections.
ASER’s story of government schools in Nagaland respectively. However, only 63.2 % schools have useable toilet facilities and more than 60% schools do not have a separate toilet provision for girls. The reading ability among Class III and Class V students has shown slight improvement over the past years. According to the survey, the proportion of Class III students able to read at least Class I level text rose from 52.9% in 2010 to 62.4% in 2013, while those of Class V students who can read at least Class II level
Racial attacks continues in Delhi Uneasy calm on Dimapur-Karbi-Anglong border
Kohima Lotha Hoho not to allow MOGPL NE women molested by four men; student in Wokha district protestors attacked by Delhi police: NEFIS KOHIMa, MarcH 1 (MExN): The Kohima Lotha Hoho has decided not to allow the Metropolitan Oil and Gas Pvt. Ltd. (MOGPL) to operate in Wokha District as it “utterly falls short of credibility.” Also reiterating its earlier stand, which has been placed before the Government of Nagaland, the Hoho stated that “License must be issued for a contiguous area and not on pattern as reported,” and that a Licensee for Wokha District must “abide by the traditional and customary practices of the Lotha people.” This was decided following an emergency meeting of the Kohima Lotha Hoho held on March 1 to discuss the reported decision of the State Government to issue “licenses to Oil Companies.” This was informed through a press release from the Hoho’s vice chairman, Jonas Yanthan, and general secretary, Thunglamo Ovung. In addition, the Kohima Lotha Hoho extended its appreciation to the Nagaland Post for its “positive and investigative journalism which enables and empowers the people to arrive at a beneficial and honourable decision.” It appreciated the “action and voice of the Lower Lotha Oil & Mineral Bearing Zone Association for making the State Government and the people to know the mind and position of the affected people.” The House also discussed the consequences in the event of Wokha Oil Fields being given to companies of ill repute which lie exposed and are entangled in court litigations.
Sunday, March 2, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
enrolment High, Performance low
reflections
NEW DELHI, MarcH 1 (PTI): The bill to carve out Telangana on Saturday received the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee who also signed the proclamation to impose central rule in Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2014, which got Parliament’s approval on February 20 despite strong opposition from Seemandhra leaders, got the Presidential assent, paving the way for creation of the country’s 29th state by splitting Andhra Pradesh. The President also signed the proclamation to impose President’s rule in Andhra Pradesh following the Union Cabinet’s recommendation yesterday. The decision to impose the President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh was necessitated by N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s resignation as the chief minister on February 19 as he was opposed to division of the state to carve out Telangana.
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NEW DELHI, MarcH 1 (MExN): As the dust on Nido Tania’s death continues to raise a storm, more allegations of racial attacks in India on the people of the North East have emerged. The North East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) has notified of another attack in Delhi on women from the North East, leading to a subsequent attack on students by the Delhi police who protested the same. In a note circulated today, the NEFIS detailed the incident. It stated that two women from the North East community were sitting in a park opposite their paying guest accommodation in Vijay Nagar (close to Delhi University’s North Campus) around 10:30 when four “drunk and anti-social elements” started urinating in close vicinity to them and started indulging in obscene and lewd gestures such as displaying their private parts towards the woman. When the woman objected, the rowdy elements started beating both of them. Then they molested the girl and attempted to rape the woman, the note alleged. Further, the NEFIS informed that when she raised an alarm, students from various North East communities living in the surrounding area gathered to show support. Police arrived shortly after the incident but instead of taking this grave matter seriously they tried to “hush up the matter in connivance with the local land lords.” Moreover they tried to make fun of the issue, thus showing the “insensitive and racial bias of the police.” This “irresponsible behavior” by the police, the NEFIS said, led to more students assembling at the location. When the students started pressurizing the police to file an FIR promptly, the police, instead of having a dialogue and taking the incident seriously started to misbehave with the female students and one of the North East women was allegedly slapped. This led to slogan shouting from the students and to disperse the agitated crowd police resorted to “lathi charge,
manhandling and molestation.” In this, the NEFIS alleged, many students were seriously injured and one student was taken into police custody where he was beaten so harshly that he cannot move now. When more students assembled, the police indulged in stone pelting. The NEFIS noted that neither did the police have any female personnel nor any senior police officer was there to handle the matter. Furthermore the police inaction led to three of the four accused escaping police custody and only in the early morning was the FIR filed. The students who suffered grievous injuries, many with stitches and bleeding profusely were not given MLC facility, the note stated. “This clearly shows that lawlessness, racism and crime against women was promoted by the police itself and instead of providing confidence to the aggrieved parties they harassed and intimidated the public,” stated the NEFIS. “When the SHO was questioned on this issue he replied that this was a ‘security issue’. Whose security-we want to ask? What else can explain the detention of students in police station? Whose security are the police responsible for? Don’t North East people have any access to law? Where were the police when the incident happened? Why didn’t they provide justice promptly? Is the duty of police to be hand in glove with hooligans and rowdy elements?” The NEFIS has asserted that the North East community will meet the senior police officers of Delhi police and concerned officers in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) so that justice is provided to the aggrieved parties. The issue is not over after the filing of FIR; “we also demand that the police personnel involved are suspended for their pathetic and illegal behavior. We also demand that all the four accused get arrested immediately or else we will resort to all the democratic means available to us to ensure so,” stated the NEFIS.
DMaPur, MarcH 1 (MExN): Eight persons were arrested by the Dimapur police today along the disputed Dimapur-Karbi Anglong border. Reported to be encroachers, all the arrested were released after signing ‘good behaviour bonds,’ police said. According to Newmai News Network, the incident happened on the Nagaland side of the border adjacent to Shankar Tila border outpost of Assam police around
8.30am today. NAP (IR) personnel patrolling the disputed border area also had to resort to firing shots in the air, it was added. The IRB personnel, while chasing away the encroachers, also apprehended eight (8) persons from the spot who were later formally arrested and taken to Dimapur. After the incident, Nagaland IRB personnel have intensified patrolling near the Shankar Tila sector to avoid any further incident. The day’s incident on the
Assam-Nagaland border has come a day after the indefinite economic blockade against Nagaland was lifted following assurances from the district administration of both Assam’s Karbi Anglong district and Nagaland’s Dimapur district administration that they will look into the border impasse. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Tuli Ram Ronghang, and local MLA of Diphu, Bidya Sing Engleng, visited the troubled area
today and confirmed that an all weather road will be constructed along the border as a first step to improve the border situation. Further, according to information received from sources, one person was arrested by the Assam police on the Karbi-Anglong side of the border on February 28. The person is said to have intruded into the disputed area, after which he was detained. The Dimapur police said it received no information in this regard.
chef Aketoli showcasing naga food
Winner of Naga Chef in Café Thulp, Bangalore Morung Express News Dimapur | March 1
Leading culinary expert Chef Aketoli Zhimomi is all set to showcase Naga food to the people of Bangalore from March 1 to March 7 at Café Thulp in Indiranagar. Aketoli is winner of the first edition of The Naga Chef, held in December 2013, and has been taken to Bangalore by The India Trail and Café Thulp. “Naga Chef 2013 opened up a new opportunity for me to take our food outside Nagaland, as it should be—our food is so good!” said Aketoli, speaking to The Morung Express between her hectic schedule at the kitchen in Bangalore today as people came pouring in to try her food out. The India Trail that was doing the round of the Hornbill Festival last year loved her food at her stall, and immediately asked her to consider this offer. “One of the missions of The India Trail is to promote entrepreneurship in India. When we met Master Naga Chef Aketoli in Kohima in December 2013, she mentioned she was looking to start a restaurant in Dimapur. We thought this would be a great opportunity for us to promote Naga food in the rest of India while also providing her a good platform of experience to launch her upcoming restaurant next
Chef Aketoli Zhimomi hard at work at Café Thulp in Bangalore where she is showcasing Naga food, in collaboration with The India Trail, from March 1-7, 2014
month,” stated The India Trail in a press release. The India Trail is an experience focused travel company helping people discover India - responsibly. Its initial focus is in the North East of India. They take their guests to experience different trails across the region while also identifying skills and resources famous in these regions and bringing them to the rest of the country. With a restaurant coming up near Faith Hospital in Dimapur, named ‘Ethnic Table’, Aketoli was waiting for just this to
come along. “I’m not particularly trained in this sector, so there are many things for me to learn through this, especially in the service sector which is very poor in Nagaland,” noted Aketoli, looking to answer the question “how does a professional kitchen work?” through this experience. While she went alone from Nagaland, she was joined in the kitchen by other chefs from Café Thulp, and others, who will assist her this week. “There is a little language problem but we’re bonded by our foodieness, so everything works out fine at the end of the day,” laughed Aketoli. Her prime motive is to innovate, create and revive Naga dishes using ingredients that are dropping out of the Naga food plate quickly. For this, she will use bamboo shoot, anishi and axone, of course, but also a smattering of black sesame, perilla seed, tenga powder (black), mustard seeds etc. in ways only her grandmother knew. And in ways that she will create. “Many indigenous ingredients are no more in demand, so they are not produced. I want to bring these back to the table and create the demand so that Naga farmers find meaning in cultivating them,” asserted Aketoli. She will also take a 2-hour cooking class in the afternoon of March 4 and 5 to teach the basics of Naga cooking at Café Thulp. It won’t be a surprise if the class is packed considering a crowd of non Naga people are already gulping down her popular Raja mircha chutneys at the Café!
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