6th October 2013

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www.morungexpress.com

The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 274

www.morungexpress.com

Madonna opens up about sexual abuse shortly after arriving in New York at age 19

[ PAGE 08]

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Sunday, October 6, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4

Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go Indian army says 7 rebels killed in Kashmir

Wokha strengthens campaign to protect Amur falcons [ PAGE 02]

US reliability questioned overseas

[ PAGE 11]

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[ PAGE 09]

–Natalie Goldberg

Nadal returns to world number one [ PAGE 10 ]

team rio meets 14th finance commission • State govt presents historical aspect and special category of Nagaland • Rio says 14th FC desired to correct mistakes committed by 13th FC

Money for offering? What kind of offering!

Kidnapped trader rescued in Nagaland JORHAT, OcTObeR 5 (TNN): Police rescued a kidnapped Haryana-based businessman from Mon district on Friday morning. Police said some Naga militants had kidnapped the businessman from the Namtola area of Sivasagar district on Wednesday for ransom. Rakesh Sharma was abducted by a group of suspected Naga militants around 4.30 pm on Wednesday, when he was on his way home in the Sonari area of Sivasagar district. Police found his two-wheeler from the Lahdoigarh near the border on Thursday. Sivasagar SP Bijoy Giri Kuligum said, “A joint team of Assam and Nagaland police launched an operation at Yangpang Basti this morning and rescued the trader. When the goons came to know about our operation, they fled the scene, leaving the abducted man behind,” he said. Though the miscreants have not been identified, it has been confirmed that they kidnapped Sharma for ransom. However, they were unable to contact his family members, who live in Haryana. Sharma has more than nine small tea gardens in the Assam-Nagaland border area. He also deals in green tea leaves, which he collects from local small tea growers in Assam and Nagaland. However, he did not get any extortion note from any militant outfit before he was kidnapped.

Don’t be too spiritual: Pope

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ROme, OcTObeR 5 (IANS/AKI): Pope Francis berated the nuns whose fixed smiles betray “a lack of joy that comes from within”. “I am so disappointed when I meet nuns who are joyless, who may smile with the smile of a flight attendant but not with the smile of joy that comes from within,” the pontiff told nuns at the Santa Chiara cloistered convent in the Italian city of Assisi. Living in an enclosed order must not be “purgatory”, Francis told the nuns. “Nuns must not be too spiritual, and must endeavour to be experts in humanity in order that convent life is not purgatory,” he said. He urged the nuns to embrace communal living and to live together like members of a happy, loving family. “Know how to forgive, how to tolerate each other because the devil takes every opportunity to divide us. Nurture friendships with each other and family life. And don’t brag!” he told the nuns.

KOHImA, OcTObeR 5 (DIpR): Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio was hopeful that his speech delivered during the meeting with the 14th Finance Commission officials held on October 5 and the power point presentation given by Chief Secretary Nagaland Alemtemshi Jamir IAS on the State of affairs of Nagaland have portrayed a clearer picture on the historical aspect and special category of Nagaland, to the visiting 14th Finance Commission officials. He said this at a press conference in his official chamber, right after his meeting with the Finance Commission members which was attended by his Cabinet colleagues and State Government officials at the Chief Secretary’s conference hall. Nagaland happens to be the first State in the North East to be visited by the 14th Finance Commission and Chief Minister expressed gratitude

for the close relationship and cooperation between the State officials and 14th Finance Commission officials. Speaking on the reaction of the Chairman 14th Finance Commission, Dr. Y.V. Reddy, Rio said that the Chairman has stated as having learnt more about the State’s historical aspects, which led to recognition of the uniqueness of the Nagas and the special category status of the State of Nagaland. Rio also informed that the 14th Finance Commission desired to rectify the mistakes of the 13th Finance Commission by checking the balance and taking corrective measures to give a considered view of the historical aspect and special category status of Nagaland. Stating that the 13th Finance Commission’s approach as normative, which has not taken the special category status of Nagaland, there-

14th Finance Commission discussion led by Chairman of the FC and Chief Minister of Nagaland at the Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall in Kohima on October 5. (DIPR Photo)

by adversely affecting the State, the Chief Minister of Nagaland Rio was hopeful that the 14th Finance Commission would give special consideration. Highlighting on the issues tabled by him before the 14th Finance Commission, Rio stated that, request was given to the Finance Commission for maintenance of assets, fi-

Dishonoring earlier agreements could become a barrier to peace

KOHImA, OcTObeR 5 (mexN): The Nagaland State government today reminded the Centre that dishonouring earlier agreements could become a barrier towards finding permanent peace in the State. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, speaking on the sidelines of the meeting with the 14th Finance Commission (FC), said at a press conference that not honouring political agreements could upset the ongoing Naga peace process. This, he said, is especially true if the Union Government does not espouse agreements like the 16 Point Agreement of 1960 which gave birth to Nagaland State. Rio stated that the Centre has not fulfilled Clause 11 of the 16 Point Agreement which states the special financial assistance to be given to the State. The Chief Minister said that the Centre had unilaterally either abrogated the clauses of the agreement or had not

implemented some till date. The Centre has also not implemented integration of contiguous Naga areas which is mentioned in the Agreement. “If the Government of India cannot honour agreements, how will people come for another agreement?” Rio asked. On Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India, he asked the Centre neither to ignore the constitution nor agreements signed with the people. He expressed hope that the members of the 14th FC have understood the historical background and recognition of uniqueness of Naga history by the Union Government. Furthermore, the Chief Minister suggested that since law and order has considerably improved and insurgency has subsided, the Centre should focus less on spending money on military and para-military, and more on infrastructure development and job opportunities for the educated unemployed youth of the State.

nancial problems faced for covering salary/pensions, infrastructure development including staffs quarters, road sector, capacity building, gainful job opportunities for the youth, lack of basic infrastructure like airport, medical, engineering, technical colleges. Observing that insurgency State like Nagaland ought to be given gainful

sonia asks Pallam to ‘not act in haste’

NeW DelHI, OcTObeR 5 (pTI): M M Pallam Raju, who announced his resignation over division of Andhra Pradesh, on Saturday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi who advised him “not to act in haste”. This is his second meeting with her in two days after being unhappy over the Centre’s decision to create Telangana and his decision to Jagan Reddy to quit as HRD min- challenge Andhra ister. The meeting Pradesh division triggered specula- decision in SC tion whether the On page 8 party was trying to persuade him and other ministers from Seemandhra region not to press their resignation. When he talked to reporters immediately after meeting Gandhi, Raju gave no indication of what he plans to do. “Yesterday, I had decided to resign. So I went to meet her and requested her that I would like to resign from the post of minister but she gave me the same advice that was given by the Prime Minister that I should not act in haste and that I should try and find a resolution to the numerous issues by working with the GoM and with other leaders from all over Andhra Pradesh”, he said.

employment to the youth, Rio regretted that the commitment of Atal Behari Vajpayee for providing 25,000 job opportunities during his visit in 2003 has not materialize and for which the State’s own meagre resources has gone to capacity building supporting the youth and accordingly around 1000 youths are presently employed

outside the State and working in various entrepreneurship sectors. He also mentioned about the raising of 7 IR Battalions thus employing around 7000 people and the burden placed on the State for managing the battalion, expenses incurred due to creation of 3 new districts and 22 new RD Blocks, creation of DUDA and viewed that 14th Finance Commission requires in depth study to understand the ground reality faced by the State Further, explaining about the increase of salary component as a result of 6th ROP implementation and the increase of DA every year, Rio desired that the 14th Finance Commission would understand the position of the resource crunch State like Nagaland and come to its rescue. “Ownership of land and resources cannot be shared but for business and other development

activities, we need the blessing of the Government of India,” Rio said.

month of August. It alleged the former MD to have misappropriated an unspecified amount of money, pushing the company to financial bankruptcy. The amount, alleged to have been misappropriated, is yet to be conclusively ascertained but is believed to run into crores of rupees. Further, investigators are still undecided on how to treat the case. Kohima police said that the content of the complaint registered did not dwell on details except the allegation against the former MD and the fund reportedly misappropriated. For now, investigators are undecided about the treatment of the case, i.e., whether to register it as a criminal or civil case. Nevertheless, Kohima

police are in the process of collecting data as regards the money involved. Only after proper verification can investigators proceed with the case. To that effect, the company has been asked to submit data, the Kohima police said. The reported shaky state of affairs in PYWS has affected an unspecified number of its employees and field agents as well as investors around Nagaland State, other sources said. Like other private investment firms that have come and gone, the company doled out interest to investors on the amount invested at periodic intervals. “So far no complaint has been received from the subscribers (investors),” the Kohima police added.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute considers 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and above to be high blood pressure. The 101 participants in the new study had an average blood pressure of 135/82 mm Hg, which is considered above normal but not yet classified as high blood pressure. Half of them were assigned to start the mindful-

ness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy right away and the rest were wait-listed to take the class at a later time. Mindfulness participants went to eight weekly group sessions and attended a day-long silent retreat. Each person was also asked to practice stress reduction for 45 minutes daily. The study participants, aged 20 to 75, were all counseled with standard high blood pressure advice: eat less salt, quit smoking and exercise more. At the end of the study period, both people who had gone through the mindfulness program and those on the wait list saw virtually no change in their blood pressure, according to findings published in the American Journal of Hypertension. Physical therapy researcher Marshall Hagins of Long Island University in Brooklyn said he was disappointed with the results, but only because he wanted the program to show benefits.

Memo submitted with proposal of Rs. 139.97 crore worth of projects

A memorandum was submitted to the 14th FC by the Government of Nagaland during the meeting. The memorandum comprising a total of 25 projects, proposed at an estimated cost of Rs. 139.97 crore, was submitted for consideration of the Commission. The memorandum also highlighted Nagaland’s economic status, the sixteen point agreement, problem and need for special dispensation as Special Category State, assessment of State Revenue, basic approach towards devolution of funds, maintenance of capital assets (Roads & Bridges), requirement to augment fund for local bodies, Relief subsidy, Service Tax etc.

Investment firm files fir against former MD Morung Express News Dimapur | October 5

Another private investment firm is now in the limelight. The fate of Kohima-based Progressive Youth Welfare Society (PYWS) is reportedly in a state of uncertainty after it was revealed that the company is in the midst of a financial crisis. Adding to the crisis, the company’s Managing Director has gone underground after reportedly resigning from the post in July last. According to the Kohima police, a complaint was received from the ‘signatory chairman’ of PYWS against the firm’s former MD, Rajesh Sahani, for allegedly misappropriating company fund. The complaint was lodged in the

enPo and ensf warns ‘Meditation alone doesn’t lower BP’ against factional violence DImApuR, OcTObeR 5 (mexN): Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) and Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) have jointly condemned the shootout incident that took place between Pungro and Phuvkyu village on October 3, where Shojim, a cadre of the GPRN/NSCN was reportedly shot to death by the NSCN (IM) there. Terming the incident as unfortunate, the two organizations in a press note stated that “it’s a direct challenge and insult” to the ENPO declaration of all ENPO jurisdiction as peace zone at the Longleng Session. ENPO and ENSF warned the “concerned Naga Political Group” responsible for “such heinous crime” that if such killing continues within its jurisdiction again, despite repeated appeals, the organizations will be

compelled to take stern action against any defaulting groups or faction. Further, the organizations stated that the people of Eastern Nagaland have neither given mandate to any faction to kill, and nor will tolerate such “heinous and civilized

and its environment had been disturbed repeatedly. “What are the ground rules laid down in the cease fire agreement? Does it give license to kill? Or does it protect those in arms?” Also, questioning the nature in which “those so called National workers” treat its own people, the press statement said that the NSCN (IM) should take stern action against its erring cadres by terminating them from the service of the national movement with immediate effect. ENPO and ENSF further anticipated justice to be delivered at the earliest time, and appealed to all armed factions operating within its jurisdiction to refrain from killing one another. It noted that the Naga political groups concerned will be held solely responsible for any untoward situation, if such acts are continued or repeated in future.

Nagaland a “failed state in maintaining providing peace and security to its citizen” act” committed within its jurisdiction. Expressing shock over the frequent shootout and killing incident in the state, the organizations termed Nagaland as a “failed state in maintaining/providing peace and security” to its citizen. They also questioned the GOI and the state law enforcing agency as to why they are silent when the society

NeW YORK, OcTObeR 5 (ReuTeRS HeAlTH): Stress reduction exercises have been linked to many health benefits, but lower blood pressure may not be one of them. A new study found eight weeks of mindfulness meditation had no effect on people with slightly elevated blood pressure who were not yet taking medication. “This doesn’t mean that meditation is bad. It just simply doesn’t lower blood pressure,” senior author Dr. Sheldon Tobe of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, said. He said he was expecting to see an effect on blood pressure based on past studies showing benefits with mindfulness meditation. But when he looked back over those earlier trials, Tobe found the majority of participants had been taking blood pressurelowering drugs. In those studies, mindfulness therapy could have worked by helping people take their medicine more consistent-

ly, Tobe explained. “Few interventions are as powerful as medication,” he told Reuters Health. “You can reduce salt intake or lose weight and help lower blood pressure, but high blood pressure medication has a more powerful effect.” One in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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