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Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 243
The Morung Express
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Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens
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Putin warns West on Syria action
By Sandemo Ngullie
Dimapur | September 4
The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn
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NPCB directs telecom service providers DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 4 (MExN): The Nagaland Pollution Control Board has informed telecom service providers operating in Nagaland to comply to set standards in relation to noise and emission levels from Diesel Generators (DG) attached to mobile towers and the health hazards of mobile tower radiations. A press note from the Member Secretary of the NPCB said that the Central Pollution Control Board has received numerous public complaints regarding the aforementioned health hazards and the noise and emission standards. The note stated that it is required for service providers to ensure that under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the noise and emission norms of the DG sets attached to mobile towers are adhered to. The service providers have been directed to contact the NPCB office and added that public complaints regarding the aforementioned emissions can also be intimated to the office.
Civil Society, Excise dept resolve to act on NLTP
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DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 4 (MExN): A meeting between various civil societies and Nagaland Excise officials on September 4 resolved to work towards effective enforcement of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act. It was resolved to urge the government for professional support to alcohol and drug rehab centers in Nagaland and to inform associations, churches and institutions on the “evil menace” caused by alcohol intake. It informed that surprise joint raids would be conducted in hotels and shops. It was further resolved that any house/shop owner allowing sale of liquor in their shops or godowns will be equally held responsible and penalized under the NLTP Act. A press note from the Excise Commissioner informed that the NBCC General Secretary during an earlier meeting had assured all moral support and assistance to the department and that the NBCC have decided to go for fasting and prayer all over the state so as to bring positive results. Naga Council Dimapur, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce, GB Union Dimapur and the GB DGBA were present in the meeting.
–Frank Herbert
Usain Bolt to retire after Rio Olympics
oil issue “amicably” settled Time for Nagaland Morung Express news
We are very, very fortunate .. no?
Thursday, September 5, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4
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reflections
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Nagaland State AIDS Control Society scales up intervention
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After deliberations with the NSCN (IM)’s CAO of UT1, the Petroleum Dealers’ Association (PDA) agreed to open 28 of the 31 fuel outlets in Dimapur on September 4. The two parties have reached an “amicable” settlement after “miscommunication” between them was sorted out following a meeting held this morning. They have now decided to “forgive and forget” the happenings of the past two days on certain conditions. “As a union, we were not striking because we support adulteration,” clarified Vice President of the PDA, Atoulie Kengs at a press conference today, also announcing the decision to re-open the fuel outlets. “We were left with no alternative but to shut down. Now it is clear that a lot of damage was done due to misunderstandings,” he added. The issue of adulteration, said the PDA, and the reason for the shut down are unrelated. Petrol pumps in Dimapur remained shut on September 2 and 3 after the NSCN (IM) detected adulteration of fuel in 17 of the 31 petrol pumps in Dimapur, and they were asked to shut down or face dire consequences.
• 28 of the 31 fuel outlets re-open in Dimapur • SIT formed to look into fuel adulteration
A security personnel looks on as vehilces line up at a petrol pump in Dimapur on September 4. Petrol pumps in Dimapur resumed business on September 4 evening after they had remained closed for two days. (Photo by Caisii Mao)
“The public or the government is allowed to check the quality of petrol but there is a stipulated method by the Government of India to do so under the Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDGs),” said Kengs, which the NSCN (IM) did not follow while checking the tested fuel. The NSCN (IM) and PDA arrived at a settlement wherein the PDA will support future initiatives to check adulteration of fuel if done through the MDGs by authorized personnel in exchange for re-opening 28 fuel outlets. Three ES-
SAR petrol pumps (in Duncan Bosti, Walford and DC Court Junction), however, continue to remain shut as they have been unable to produce in-voices for the petrol they buy. The Home Minister of Nagaland, G. Kaito Aye, intervened to end the imbroglio and had a meeting with PDA members in Dimapur, as well as other stakeholders. Dimapur DC, Hushili Sema, issued an order at 12.30pm today for re-opening petrol pumps. She acknowledged the “active intervention” of the Home Minister in solv-
ing the issue. The 17 petrol pumps that are suspected to be adulterating fuel will be kept under the scanner by the district administration. Additionally, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been set up to look into the adulteration business in Dimapur. “Adulteration mostly happens in godowns and with government-distributed kerosene. It is the government’s duty, not ours to put a check on it,” stated Akokla, a PDA member. Asked about the “zero solvents” used to adulterate fuel, she replied that it is
neilakuoii Peseye
ensang Government High School for another six years where her husband had been transferred. “Teaching is very different today. Students were more obedient, disciplined and respectful back then. We didn’t have much trouble with our students because they were all very sincere. But we had very less materials to teach.” she says and adds that everyone walked to school from a long distance back then and didn’t find much trouble in it. After coming back to Kohima from Tuensang, she left teaching to look after her children. In 1982, she joined the National Open School where she taught for almost five years. Neilakuoii is also a pia-
to honor teachers!
the government that issues licenses for procurement of these solvents, which are predominantly used in paint factories. This, she said, should be checked and curbed by the government itself. The PDA has Morung Express news forwarded a memoranDimapur | September 4 dum to the Nagaland state government and the NSCN (IM), wherein they have 24-year-old Dori teaches at a private school in Dimastated their grievances. pur. She wakes up at around Dimapur administration 5:30 am and gets ready for raids fuel adulteration sites her 7:45 am class, which The Dimapur District extends till 2:00 pm in the Administration and Po- afternoon. Teaching a maxlice on Wednesday con- imum of five classes each ducted raids on three sus- day for six days (sometimes pected fuel adulteration five) a week, for a paltry sum sites in Ghorapati, Padhum of Rs 4000 a month, Dori Pukhuri and 4th Mile, Dima- admits it is not worth the pur. Sources informed that labour and the time she inat Ghorapati, a makeshift vests. It’s a very “hectic” job fuel adulteration unit com- with no time for anything prising of three fuel tankers else, she says, “with very and eleven plastic barrels less salary.” It is not just the were found. It was also in- hours, but also the different formed that twenty to thirty subjects she teaches which thousand liters of a liquid takes a toll. A humanities “suspected to be adulterat- graduate, she has to teach ed fuel” was also recovered English, Science and other from the site. However no additional subjects. people were found. Hers is not an excepIn Padhum Pukhuri, the tional case. In her school, raiding party apprehended there are some teachers two persons suspected to who teach six or seven be involved in fuel adulter- classes a day to about sixation. In 4th Mile, sources ty-seventy students in one said that the site appeared classroom. Some classto be an abandoned fuel rooms have about eighty adulteration unit where students. Seven to eight the raiding party found classes of forty five minutes tankers and drums. each a day is a standard routine in most private schools in Nagaland. Private schools are in demand, and they produce the best results in the nist, a skill she learned at the state, as opposed to their age of fourteen from Ruth government counterparts. Supplee – daughter of the However the plight of the G.W Supplee. “The only pia- teachers is a different stonos we had belonged to the ry. With very little scope missionaries. We would go of private sector employto church to practice the pi- ment in industry deprived ano and come back home.” Nagaland, many educated In the 1960s she bought unemployed people turn to a piano from Jorhat and teaching at private schools. taught her children the basic Some take to entreprecourses. She along with her neurship, but for many who daughter gave piano lessons cannot afford that, private to more than 30 students. schools are the options, Recently she met one of her former student who told her while they look for governthat he learned Tenyidie be- ment jobs. As is the case, cause of her. “When a teacher many do not see it as a long understands his/her subject term profession. “Not everybody is gomatter well, the students uling to remain single fortimately learn. It is a pleasure to see your students under- ever. And the salary they stand whatever you teach (schools) provide is not enough to run a family,” rethem,” says Neilakuoii.
Overworked, Underpaid; teachers seek changes
imbibing knowledge: A teacher’s zeal Vibi Yhokha
Kohima | September 4
“Nothing gives you more joy in being a teacher than when your students learn whatever has been taught and becomes somebody,” says 79 years old Neilakuoii Peseye, a teacher of English and Angami (today the subject is known as Tenyidie) who taught during the 1950s. Neilakuoii was born in 1934to a generation which she says have seen a lot of changes and too much of war. “I was 10 years old when the Second World War began. When we heard that the Japanese were approaching we ran and hid in the forests. One of my sisters died in the forest,” she re-
calls after which she joined school at the then Mission school. The school was run by the Supplees, a Missionary family in Kohima; who were made to leave when the Naga political movement began. She started teaching in 1955, where along with her sister Beilieii, their mother and others taught at the Naga High School, Seikhazou. It was a time when the Naga National Movement had started and she along with her sister, mother and other teachers were arrested by the Indian Army and kept in jail for 2 months. The Army also burned down their houses while they were in jail. The school was soon closed
down. “We had wonderful church services while we were in jail and had a lot of dal,” she recalls smilingly. In 1959, she started teaching at the Riizhiikhrieii Government Higher Secondary School till 1960. She then taught at the Tu-
plies Mhayani, who used to teach six classes a day for three years in a private school in Wokha. Employed as a Graduate Teacher with the Nagaland government now, she recounts her past experience as taxing, and “beyond comparison” with government school, while also acknowledging the inefficiencies rampant in the government setup. She now earns more than three times she used to earn. The issue of underpaid, overworked private schools teachers is not restricted to few places. It is prevalent in all the districts of the state. In Kohima, one teacher has been working in one of the most expensive and elite schools for over two years, and she considers herself relatively fortunate to be teaching four classes a day for a salary of little more than Rs 8000. However, she says, “Comparing to the students’ fees, we are also underpaid.” She adds, “Except for one or two schools, the scenario is the same in Kohima.” ‘ With introduction of the Right to Education’s non-detention and non-exam policy, there are more tests and re-tests. This adds to the strain of the teachers. Eyingbeni Humtsoe, an academic observes, “We see that more labor, time and knowledge are imparted to students in private institutions, but teachers are not fairly acknowledged; or rather it is not reflected in their salaries or returns.” She suggests that the government authority concerned send minimum salary recommendation to private schools, so that salary and work overload issues do not compromise the quality of education or students-teacher relationships. This suggestion may also very well prevent the likelihood of teachers being exploited by proprietors/authorities.
one cadre shot 70.03% participate in noksen bye-polls reported in dead in Kohima “Scuffle” Longra, security forces
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 4 (MExN): One Lieutenant James Poumai of the GPRN/NSCN was shot dead while travelling in a taxi at Officers’ Hill, Kohima near hotel 2K on September 4. The deceased was shot inside the taxi by an unidentified number of gunmen, where he died on the spot. According to the Superintendent of Police, Kohima the deceased was previously serving in the police force but had “deserted and gone underground.” The SP further said that he was arrested in 2011 and booked under the National Security Act, while another case regarding the remains pending in court. Meanwhile, the People’s Army of Nagaland, Urban Command, Kohima of NSCN (K) through the MIP issued a statement “to bring to light the nature of circum-
stances that led to inevitable elimination of Lieutenant James Poumai on September 4 in Kohima.” In the statement the MIP said that the Urban Command “accosted James at Officers Hill and asked him to surrender so that he would be handed over to the Kohima Police unharmed since James has been on the look-out notice in connection to earlier assassination attempt on Asst. Gen. Secy. NSF.” However, the MIP stated, “when pulled inside the Van, James resisted and pulled off a live grenade pin.” This in turn, according to the MIP, “prompted the cadres to resort to shooting in order to avoid co-lateral consequences since the place of incident was live with innocent civilians.” It added that “witnesses to the episode may also corroborate the same.”
day. Counting of votes is scheduled to be held on September 7.
resort to firing in air Morung Express news
Noksen/Mokokchung | September 4
Bye-election to 51 Noksen Assembly Constituency was conducted successfully with a total voter turnout of 70.03 percent. Chief Electoral Officer, Sentiyanger Imchen informed that 8493 of the 12074 voters cast their votes. Polling in all twenty-one polling stations in the nineteen villages under the constituency was conducted smoothly, except for a “scuffle” which occurred in Longra and security forces resorted to firing to contain the situation. The incident occurred at around 12:30-1 PM, where the public and the polling officials (sector magistrate and presiding officer) had a ‘scuffle’. Security forces fired 30-40 rounds into the air to contain the situation, informed SDO (C) Noksen, Chubatemjen. It was informed that he rushed to Longra Polling Station with some IRB personnel; however by
An elderly couple waiting for their turn to cast votes during the bye-elections for 51 noksen A/C at noksen town, Tuensang on September 4. Due to implementation of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) and the use of Photo electoral roll in this election, many voters and especially the elderly came out to vote in large numbers as the VVPAT, seemingly curbs proxy voting. (Morung Photo)
the time he reached, the situation had been brought under control. Polling at the Longra had to continue forty five minutes past the 5 PM deadline due to the incident. The SDO said that there is a provision that “genuine voters queued up within a 100 meter parameter of the polling station could be allowed to cast their vote even after the expiry of the deadline.” He asserted that the public had no right to take the law into their hands and that security forces had
“no option but to open fire to contain the situation.” While he could not delve into the cause of the scuffle, Chubatemjen however maintained that the public, if they had any grievances, should have complained to the officials instead of creating problems. There were pre-poll “minor scuffles” between NPF and Congress party supporters at Litem and Longtang villages last night. However, polls were reportedly conducted in these two villages peacefully to-
VVPAT and Photo electoral roll The bye-election saw a step towards the concept of ‘one man, one vote’ with introduction of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) and Photo Electoral Slip. Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) secured the inner perimeter while IRB personnel secured the outer perimeters of the polling stations. CPMF personnel checked photos of the voters, while party workers were seen urging or taking even the elderly to cast their votes. “People have come from far and near to cast their votes, because of this VVPAT and Photo electoral slips. Otherwise, during earlier elections, one man cast the votes for their entire family…,” said a lady resident of Noksen town. But it is hard to positively ascertain whether the concept of one man one vote was implemented strictly or not. The SDO (C) Noksen, Chubatemjen informed that they are “trying their best to enforce it (one man, one vote) as far as possible.” The effectiveness of the VVPAT and Photo Electoral Slips in curbing proxy voting remains to be seen.
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