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Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 123
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated
Committees to monitor New Railway Line Project [ PAGE 2]
[ PAGE 8]
Clashes, mistrust overshadow Kachin peace process
Mary Kom to return after two-year break
[ PAGE 11]
[ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 10]
criminal charges don’t deter indian politicians
Don’t worry boy, If our food and water runs out we`ll eat Cricket.
Cars are engulfed in flames after a bomb hidden in a car exploded at a police station parking lot in Hat Yai district in Songkhla province, southern Thailand on Tuesday, May 6. Police say bombs have exploded at the police station and a convenience store in Hat Yai, a tourist city in Thailand’s violence-plagued south, injuring at least nine people. (AP Photo)
ssA teacher’s agitation continues
NCSU Mon clarifies
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MON, MAY 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union (NCSU), Mon Unit has written to the Chief Engineer for PWD (R&B), clarifying that “Phomishi Phom is not the lone contractor from ENPO jurisdiction.” It stated this in reference to a letter from the Konyak Union, dated January 20, 2014, “whereby, the KU had expressed to award the contract work, in respect of the Mon sector, to Phomishi Phom, stating that he is the lone contractor within the ENPO jurisdiction.” NCSU Mon stated that the KU had also “made a blunder by not consulting the Konyak 1st class contractors union,” prior to the said letter. It appealed for the PWD (R&B) “not to award the proposed contract works to Phomishi Phom, so as to avoid any ugly eventualities.” It further declared that the union is “fully in support of the NFHRCC.”
–Confucius
Fashion’s most extravagant evening Met Gala in New York
By Sandemo Ngullie
DIMAPUR, MAY 6 (MExN): The East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA) has informed that all business establishments within the jurisdiction of east Dimapur will be closed down on May 7. EDBA stated that the “total closure” is being initiated to express displeasure at the “numerous complaints of harassment and unabated taxation faced by the business community.” “In some instances, different persons claiming to be from the same organization would collect taxes, telling the business owner that the previous collector was an imposter,” it said. It added that a “certain student body from Model Colony area, Purana Bazaar collects monthly taxes from the shops,” and expressed concern “that a student body, rather than fighting against unabated taxation, are themselves indulging in it.” EDBA requested all members of the business community to assemble at DHO petrol pump, Purana Bazaar at 8:00 AM. EDBA further requested the East Dimapur GB’s union, village councils, student organizations and various Tribal bodies to attend the meeting.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
SC orders Sahara chief to remain in jail
reflections
Businesses in east Dimapur to observe total closure today
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KOhIMA, MAY 6 (MExN): SDEO offices of all the districts within Nagaland state remained paralysed due to the ongoing picketing by SSA teachers. A press note from the Nagaland SSA Teachers Association (NSSATA) stated that “so far the association have not been granted on any of their demands.” It informed that the NSSATA and the government “could not come to the Negotiation table called by the government on May 6, as the request and demand for the withdrawal of Show Cause Notice (already replied), being served to the Association’s President and General Secretary, could not be revoked.” NSSATA further clarified that the letters submitted to Rahul Gandhi, dated March 27, 2014, “should not be politicized in any form as explained and apologized in the reply to the Show Cause Notice, dated April 28, 2014. “Despite our various representations and appeal letters submitted to the government and its implement-
ing agencies, no transparent response could be obtained,” it stated. NSSATA added that instead, “it was claimed that the centre had not released the funds on time.” It clarified that as a result, the appeal letter was submitted not with any political motives but as an appeal for early release of the 2nd instalment (2013- 2014) and for the latter to appraise the matter to the MHRD for early release of the central share. It then demanded that the Show Cause Notice served should be revoked before any negotiation with the NSSATA, “as it is directly connected with the pending salaries and arrears of 2013 – 2014.” The NSSATA further reminded that the the Department of School Education, in an earlier press statement, had informed that “Rs.7.21 cr has been received on March 4, 2014 for the SSA teachers; which they have declared will be released for the salary of December 2013.” “Also in a press state-
ment, dated May 3, 2014, the Finance Secretary stated that Rs.23 cr had been deposited by the State Mission Authority (SSA) to the State Government account to honour the salary of three months w.e.f. Dec 2013 to Feb 2014.” It asserted that these statements clarify that a total of Rs.30.21 cr has been released. “According to the press statement as claimed by Department of School Education and Finance Department, the salary for the month of Dec 2013 has been sanctioned twice. Therefore, Rs.7.21 cr, which was earlier stated by the DOSE, should be for the salary of Dec 2013 and the Rs.23 cr received by the Finance Department from the State Mission Authority (SSA) should cover the salary for the months of Jan 2014 to March 2014,” it added. As such, the NSSATA alleged that there is “mismanagement of funds” and resolved to continue the agitation until its demands are met.
LUCKNOW, MAY 6 (AP): Of the dozens of criminal charges Atiq Ahmed faces, the one blaming him for the murder of a political rival tops the list. But that isn’t stopping the state lawmaker from running for a seat in India’s Parliament. More than 1,200 candidates running for 545 seats in the national election face criminal charges including rape, kidnapping, extortion and murder, according to a tally by the Association for Democratic Reform. “Criminalization of politics is a bad trend. Earlier politicians used criminals. Now the criminals themselves have entered politics,” said Rituraj Sharma, a 21-year-old first-time voter. In much of India, violence and politics go hand in hand. Political parties use local strongmen to intimidate political rivals. Ahmed, who denies all the charges and calls them politically motivated, is just one of hundreds of Indian politicians who activists say operate at the crossroads of crime and politics. While not unique to India, it stifles progress for the country of 1.2 billion people to have a political class unable, or unwilling, to root out criminals and keeping out idealistic aspirants. On Wednesday, voters in Uttar Pradesh — the most populous state in India — will stream into voting booths where at least 50 candidates, including Ahmed, are on the ballot. Indian law only bars a person from running for political office once they have been convicted by a court and that can take years, even decades, as cases wind their way through woefully overburdened courts. Fearing violence because of the candidates’ backgrounds, the state election commission has declared 10 of the 15 constituencies “red constituencies” and will take
extraordinary measures to ensure that the vote is peaceful, said Uttar Pradesh’s chief electoral officer, Umesh Sinha. “We deploy additional security forces with the candidates having criminal records. The gangs these politicians are associated with are well known and police will keep an eye on the members of these gangs,” Sinha said. All licensed weapons across the polling area are confiscated and petty criminals on the police’s radar are protectively detained. Hundreds of thousands of troops and police are already spread out across India to provide security for the massive election where some 814 million voters are registered. The voting is taking place in phases, with the final phase next Monday and results due on May 16. Ahmed is a candidate of the Samajwadi, or Socialist Party, that rules Uttar Pradesh. After being charged with the rival politician’s murder, he was jailed for 18 months before being released on bail. But he has never been convicted and denies all the charges he faces. “All the cases against him are only because he has fought for the poor. They are all false,” said Moin Khan, an aide to the lawmaker. The Socialist Party isn’t alone in fielding candidates with criminal cases against them. The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate Keshav Prasad Maurya faces murder charges. Jitendra Kumar Singh Babloo of the Bahujan Samaj Party, which claims to represent India’s lowest castes, faces 17 criminal charges which include attempted murder. Both men also deny the charges against them.
More than 1,200 candidates running for Parliamentary election face criminal charges including rape, kidnapping, extortion and murder
NPCC reiterates demand to ECI no travel curbs imposed, says MHA
DIMAPUR, MAY 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) stated today that “measures befitting the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI)” should be enforced forthwith to “redeem the essence and ethos of our voting rights and values for establishing a vibrant democratic nation.” The NPCC stated this while reiterating its demands for “total re-poll” in all polling Stations that exceeded 90% and (the) above be notified at the earliest possible time and ECI depute impartial Independent Election Observers to all re-polling booths and also by installing CCTVs in all re-polling stations or declare null and void to all
polling stations that exceeded 90% and above polling due to alleged “massive malpractices” on April 9, 2014. It also demanded that web cast recording be made public and telecast the proceeding of polling to ascertain the veracity of our contention and take to task all delinquent official on duty. The NPCC, in the press release from its general secretary (admn), Medokul Sphie, expressed its dismay that “there was no Independent Observer from the Election Commission of India for supervision of scrutiny nor web casting shown and taken into account on 3rd and 4th May 2014 at Kohima in the office of the Returning Officer, 16th Lok Sabha Nagaland seat.”
NEW DELhI, MAY 6 (ENS): The Centre on Monday said no restriction was imposed on the movement of Naga leaders Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th. Muviah, after they were absent from a Kolkata meeting of the ‘Forum for Naga Reconciliation’ (FNR). “There is no question of denial of permission, as we have not received any request for travel from the two leaders or state government,” said a senior Ministry of Home Affairs official on Monday. The
Forum claimed that National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isa-Muivah) founders Isak Chishi Swu and Muivah were denied permission to travel by New Delhi. A five-day meeting was organized in Kolkata from April 29 to May 3 by the FNR, which aims to bring together various Naga groups together. On March 28 in Dimapur, several groups had signed the Lenten agreement to form a single platform called the Naga National Government. Following this, the leader-
ship of the three Naga groups, NSCN (IM), NSCN (Khole/ Kitovi) and NNC/FGN decided to hold a closed door meeting in Kolkata. “The representatives, through a process of envisioning, shared their vision for the Naga people, and expressed desire to engage in more confidence building measures as a way to deal with difficult issues in the interest of the shared Naga future,” said an FNR statement. The FNR statement also maintained the “denial” of permission to NSCN (IM)
leaders. “While appreciating the Government of India for its cooperation to Naga reconciliation, the FNR is concerned by this recent attitude, thereby raising questions of doubt and insincerity,” it added. The Forum urged Nagas, their neighbours, and the Government of India, to have more understanding and extend moral support to the process, and said the realisation of Naga reconciliation is in the interest of all those who desire justice, peace, and reconciliation in the region.
Recognize triggers, doctors advice this World Asthma Day Govt permission not needed
Morung Express News Dimapur | May 6
53-year-old Martha (name changed) has been wheezing and coughing for the past 10 years—she medicated herself through recommendations from friends, relatives and other patients for all these years till the wheezing got worse. She had Asthma and professional help was sought. At first, this included an ayurvedic treatment from a clinic in Dimapur. When the problem got worse, she had to switch to allopathic medication, admitted to a hospital in Dimapur. That didn’t help either, taking her to the door of a herbal curist, a Naga quack, who gave her a herbal concoction to drink every night. Her sleepless nights of wheezing have continued nonetheless, and so has her search for a cure. “I heard there is a family in Hyderabad that can cure Asthma by administering an age-old cure through live fishes,” says
few cAutious steps to Avoid AstHMA
Keep the air in your house clean Keep the household free from dust by wet mopping regularly Wash mattresses, carpets, pillows, cushions and other furnishings at least once a month Along with adding ‘No Smoking’ rule in your house, minimize use of mosquito coils and incense sticks Repaint your house and check for leakages to avoid wall fungus Use eco-friendly paints which do not release volatile carbons
Martha, desperate to find some relief. The medicine she refers to, also known as fish ‘prasadam’, is a popular treatment with thousands of patients around India struggling with Asthma. The cure is administered by the Bathini Harinath Goud family: live 2-inch to 3-inch long murrel fish which have been fed a drop of the secret herbal formula the Gouds claim cures Asthma within three years (of consecutive administration— a fish costs Rs. 15). May 6 is World Asthma Day, conjured to bring focus on one of the major
Use plants at home that can reduce indoor air pollution, like Aloe Vera and Gerbera Flower Plant Avoid frequent use of strong perfumes and deodorants if there is an Asthma patient around Avoid using heavy curtains, woolen blankets, and woolen carpets Do not clutter your bedroom with too many books or furniture with upholstery Restrict your pet’s entry into the bedroom Seal cracks and crevices to ban cockroaches Courtesy: DNA
noncommunicable diseases of our times. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), some 235 million people around the world currently suffer from Asthma, a chronic disease of the air passages of the lungs which inflames and narrows them. “While Asthma is not a common condition among the people of Nagaland, most patients here have developed it in their adult years,” informs Dr. Angovi of the Christian Institute for Health Sciences and Research. Exposure to dust, other allergens and change
of season, especially the onset of winter, have been identified to be triggers for patients of Asthma in Nagaland, though the disease has not reached alarming proportions. It is, however, important, says Dr. Angovi, to recognize the problem, if it exists, and avoid allergens like cold drinks, dust or cockroaches to control asthma at an early stage. “Various types of meats, brinjal and axone are also known to aggravate Asthma among patients here,” says Dr. Sentila from Police Referral Hospital, Chumukedima, who has
noticed that Asthma also peaks mid-summer in very hot and humid conditions. She also suggests that “One should figure out and avoid exposure to allergens and recognize reaction to allergic substances,” so that Asthma is not aggravated in patients. According to the WHO, the causes of Asthma are not completely understood. However, risk factors for developing Asthma include inhaling Asthma “triggers”, such as allergens, tobacco smoke and chemical irritants. Asthma cannot be cured, but appropriate management can control the disorder and enable people to enjoy a good quality of life. If nothing works, many like Martha might find themselves on the special train, run by the Northeast Frontier Railway last year for Asthma patients of the North East region, from Kamakhya to Hyderabad, delicately timed to get the fish ‘prasadam’ and be back home, perhaps relieved through faith.
to probe top officers: SC
NEW DELhI, MAY 6 (PTI): The Supreme Court today held as invalid and unconstitutional the legal provision which makes sanction of competent authority mandatory for CBI to probe corruption cases against an officer of joint secretary-rank or above, saying it has the propensity of shielding the corrupt. “We hold Section 6A of the Act, which requires Central Government’s approval for the offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) to make inquiry against officer of the rank of joint secretary and above, as invalid and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution,” the bench said. It said there cannot be any classification of officers for the purpose of inquiry of offence under the PCA. “The corrupt public servants, higher or lower in rank, are the birds of same feather and have to be dealt
with equally,” the court observed. The bench said that it is difficult to make classification of officers in graft cases as it is against the mandate of PCA. It said that the prior approval under Section 6A would result, indirectly, in halting the investigation and if the CBI is not allowed to carry on the preliminary inquiry how the investigation can proceed. “We are of the view that there can be no distinction between certain class of officials for inquiry of the offences under the PCA. How can the status of officials be of any relevance in the offence under PCA and any distinction by way of Section 6A of the DSPEA makes it violative of Article 14,” the bench said. The court vouched for equal treatment and that any official facing corruption allegations has to be treated with the same process of inquiry.
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