8th April 2014

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 95

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Tuesday, April 8, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

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To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe BJP manifesto comes under attack for ‘Hindutva agenda’

Ranbir is adorable and I want to marry him : Alia

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Small Creatures: Big Threats [ PAGE 2]

It was an offday for Yuvraj: MS Dhoni

[ PAGE 9]

[ PAGE 12]

Rwanda Genocide: Man and victim now friends

[ PAGE 11]

[ PAGE 8]

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–Anatole France

World’s ‘largest’ 10 Days’ Ultimatum election kicks off NSF asks Housing Department to settle school matter

Morung Express News Dimapur | April 7

I want to know why I was unfairly denied the party’s nomination, suspended and then expelled from the party.

Karbi bandh from today

DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): The Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers have called for an indefinite KarbiAnglong bandh beginning 5:00am, April 8. According to sources, the bandh was called in protest against the non-fulfilment of the outfit’s demand for an autonomous Karbi state. It came in the backdrop of the Karbi National Liberation Army callingasimilarbandhonApril7.

Rio clears Election Commission scan IMPhAL, APRIL 7 (NNN): Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio has cleared the Election Commission’s scan on his alleged hate speech, while on campaign in Tamengong. Chief Electoral Officer Manipur, O Nabakishore informed media persons today that the Election Commission has seen the video recording of Rio’s Tamenglong speech and viewed that there was no violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Congress legislator, N Biren had lodged a complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Neiphiu Rio for his alleged violation of the election model of conduct by making communal statements during his poll campaigns in Tamenglong and Senapati. The CEO said they will now look for the video recordings of Senapati and Ukhrul, where Rio had addressed poll rallies.

NCSU, NFHRCC to ‘co-operate’

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DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union and the Nagaland Foothill Road Construction Committee, in a joint declaration today, resolved to co-operate with each other to accomplish the Foothill Road project. A joint declaration from the two organizations informed that a meeting was held on April 7, to deliberate on the ongoing construction of the Foothill Road and stressed on the early completion of the project. The declaration stated that the NFHRCC has decided to drop resolution 9, dated March 19 of ten tribe hohos, which had resolved to ask the NCSU to immediately withdraw their statement regarding the Foothill road project, failing which, it cautioned that NCSU members would not be allowed to execute any contract works within the jurisdiction of the ten tribes. In response to the NFHRCC dropping this resolution, the NCSU assured to extend full co operation and support to the latter for successful completion of the ongoing dress cutting and jeepable road.

The declaration further appealed for the concerned authority and the public to extend co operation in completing the works.

GUWAhATI, APRIL 7 (AP): Voters in India’s remote northeast cast ballots on the first day of the world’s biggest election Monday.

With 814 million eligible voters, India will vote in stages over the next five weeks in a staggered approach made necessary by the country’s vast size. Voters will choose representatives for the 543seat lower house of parliament. Results from all 935,000 polling stations are expected on May 16.

“I’ve made it a point to vote this time because we want change,” said 36-yearold housewife Rumi Nath, waiting to vote in the rural town of Lakhimpur on the Brahmaputra River. “Our area remains backward and underdeveloped 67 years after independence.”

Polls suggest Congress could face a drubbing due to corruption scandals and recent years of economic slowdown. The election will be key to the future of the family dynasty that has ruled India for much of its post-independence history.

But even as Congress faces a backlash, critics of Modi question whether the Hindu nationalist candidate can be a truly secular leader. The BJP was the last major party on Monday to release its campaign manifesto, which envisions India’s path toward full development through futuristic

An election officer applies an indelible ink mark on the finger of a Mishing woman voter during the first phase of elections at Misamora Sapori, an island in the River Brahmaputra in Assam state on April 7. India started the world’s largest election on Monday. The country’s 814 million electorate will vote in stages over the next five weeks. (AP Photo)

infrastructure projects such as high-speed trains, 100 new modern cities and wireless Internet facilities in public places. But such ambitious plans hold little appeal for most voters in rural Assam, where voting took place Monday in five constituencies as well as in one in neighboring Tripura state.

Here, people are more concerned about basic needs like guarding against the dangers of flooding, soil erosion and heavy rains washing away homes, or

building more roads and bridges to connect far-away towns and villages to the main cities. “As monsoon sets in, we get worried about our daily meals,” said Pulok Nath, a voter in Lakhimpur.

“We have been living on a mud embankment for years now after floods washed away our home and large part of our village.”

Several of the 8,000 polling stations were temporarily closed while faulty voting machines were fixed or replaced. At the end of

Monday’s voting, officials said turnout for the first day of polling was 74 percent.

Several groups of separatist ethnic or Maoist rebels have threatened violence during the vote.

Authorities said there were no violent incidents at the polls, thanks to the deployment of 25,000 police and paramilitary troops to guard polling stations.

Helicopters were put on standby, and borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan were sealed.

The 75 students and 10 teachers of the Government Primary School (GPS), Landmark Colony, Dimapur, now have a chance of securing themselves a school building.

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), following an emergency official council meeting on April 7, resolved to “serve an ultimatum to the Housing department and further give 10 days’ time from the date of submission of the ultimatum to settle the matter failing which the NSF will take the students to the newly constructed school building to allow them to continue normal classes which is their legitimate right.”

This was stated in a press release from the NSF president, Tongpang Ozukum, and its general secretary, Esther Rhakho. It may be noted that the students of the school, also called GPS Ward 13, have been displaced from their earlier shelter of a school in a British made arms stockade to a children’s park since February this year after they were denied permission to set up school at a newly constructed bamboo-and-tin structure at Landmark Colony.

The NSF wrote several letters to the Public Works Department (Housing) to allow the students to continue their classes in the newly constructed school

building (at a site owned by the PWD) till the matter is resolved but got no positive response from the department. The NSF has wondered why the PWD “all of a sudden” claimed that the land has been earmarked for “Rental Housing Phase-III” when the colony councils concerned were not informed of the same when they approached the department for allotment of the land for the GPS since 2011.

“Acknowledging the effort of the colony council, on 2nd July 2012, the then Hon’ble Parliamentary Secretary for Housing has strongly recommended for the allocation of that particular land for GPS Landmark colony,” stated the NSF in its release, adding, “Following which on 6th November 2012, Chief Engineer (Housing) has also directed the Executive Engineer PWD (Housing) Dimapur to investigate and submit its report whether the plot of land is lying vacant or not. This clearly shows that there was no such proposal from the Housing department for construction of Rental Housing Phase-III as claimed by the department that they have already earmark the land in 2010 for said purpose.”

The NSF expressed surprise that a “Restraining Order served to the NPF Women Wing Dimapur Division by Dimapur district administration on 11th Jan 2013 clearly mentioned

that the land is proposed for the construction of GPS Landmark Colony and the same has been submitted to the government for consideration. However, quiet contrary to that, in the Restraining order served to the Landmark Colony Council on 24th Feb 2014, district administration has accused the colony council of hampering the ongoing project of the housing department where as there is no such project undertaken by the department so far in that vacant land.”

Keeping the plight of the students in mind, the NSF questioned “the Housing department and the district administration whether they have any concern about the educational career of the younger generation?” The Federation also questioned “the education department whether they are aware of these developments and what step are they going to take for the welfare of their children as a parent department?”

Meanwhile, the Department of School Education made time to check the “ground reality” today with a visit from the Joint Director of the Department, Vihoshe Sema, to the site.

While Sema promised that the students will be “represented” by highest officials of the Department, the District Education Officer questioned why the school was allowed to operate in the first place without a school building.

nagaland ls polls tomorrow DnsU alleges education scam Chizokho Vero

So far, 11, 20, 888 voters have been issued EPIC. Electors who are not able Kohima | April 7 to produce their EPIC, shall produce Nagaland will go for Lok Sabha polls alternative photo identity documents. on April 9, along with Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and SVEEP As directed by ECI, Systematic Mizoram. Three candidates are in the fray, which include Neiphiu Rio- NPF, Voters Education & Electoral ParKV Pusa- INC and Akhei Achumi- So- ticipation (SVEEP) activities were undertaken in Nagaland in order cialist Party (India).

Polling hours is from 7:00am to educate the voters on ethical, into 4:00pm, informed Sentiyanger formed and indictment free voting.

Imchen, chief electoral officer Na- Along with the state SVEEP camgaland, at press conference here paign, Youthnet Nagaland is also today. Counting of vote will take taking part in mobilizing the youth to practice systematic voting and place on May 16. clean election process by conducting an orientation programme.

11, 82, 948 VOTERS There will be 2059 polling stations to facilitate 11, 82, 948 voters including WEBCASTING Nagaland will be webcasting 5, 376 service voters (6,00, 490 male and 5, 82, 458 female). 36, 159 are first the proceedings of the polling in 84 time voters in the age group of 18-19 polling booths. The public can acyears. The highest number of voters in cess the webcast at www.ceonagaassembly constituency segment is Di- land.nic.in on April 9 from 7:00am mapur II A/C with 47, 086 voters while to 4:00pm.

Mokokchung Town A/C has lowest ELECTION DUTY CERTIFICATE voters with 5, 772 voters. The highest This time, the ECI has decided number of voters is polling station No. that only Election Duty Certificate 28 at Ganeshnagar under Dimapur (EDC) would be issued in the state III A/C with 2171 voters and the low- and postal ballot would not be used, est number of voters with 32 voters is except for service voters. All officers polling station No. 57 at Yankili under and police personnel on election reBhandari A/C under Wokha district. lated duty would be eligible for EDC. 10, 295 GOVT SERVANTS FOR ELECTION DUTY Around 10, 295 government servants will be deployed on election duty. The polling personnel will be selected through a three stage computer assisted randomization process. “This has been introduced to avoid any favoritism and to ensure absolute objectivity and secrecy in formation of polling groups,” said the CEO.

ELECTION OBSERVERS ECI has appointed five observers for Nagaland, 2 for general, 2 for expenditure and 1 as police observer.

SECURITY ARRANGEMENT 14, 735 security personnel have been deployed for polling duty comprising of DEF, NAP, HG, VGs, NAPTC/PTC, 8 Coys CRPF, 7 Coys SAP (Mizoram) and 10 Coys TSR (Tripura).

1536 polling stations have been iden2059 EVMS FOR POLLS tified as normal, 429 polling stations 2059 EVMs will be used. For the as vulnerable and 94 as critical. first time the voters are given an option where a button with ‘None of CEO APPEALS The Nagaland CEO has appealed the Above’ (NOTA) option will be to all registered voters to reinforce there on the voting machine. democratic ethos, entrenched in EPIC Naga tradition, by turning up at the Nagaland along with Assam will polling station on April 9 and exercise be the first states in India to use plastic their right to vote in an informed and Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC). ethical manner.

DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has informed of an education scam, involving examination centers of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in Dimapur.

At a press briefing at DNSU office Monday afternoon, DNSU team led by president, Mhachio Odyuo, alleged that two NIOS exam centres in Dimapur were indulging in “unfair practices” and exploiting students.

The centers were reportedly charging fees from students to let them pass. A further startling disclosure was that a student can pass the NIOS exam even without appearing the exam, provided he or she pays a hefty sum to those in charge of exam centers.

DNSU produced before

the media one of the accused in the scam, Naresh Singh, the principal of a school in Sematilla, who is also the centre superintendent of NIOS exam centre at Rajbari.

According to Singh, he was running NIOS in Dimapur since 1999 and was the coordinator till 2008. He said NIOS exams are held twice a year (March-April and Oct-Nov).

Naresh said during exams, the NIOS centers help students with the answers and charge Rs.300 per subject from every student. He also disclosed that even if a student does not sit for the exam, the centers employ proxy candidates to write for him or her, provided the student pays anywhere between Rs. 4000-5000.

Sing informed that 15 students at the exam center in Rajbari had paid Rs. 300 per

subject to pass the exam. He however claimed that the students who did not appear the exam had so far not paid any money to the centre.

Singh further claimed that all the eight NIOS centers in Dimapur were indulging in the malpractice. According to him, he was appointed by NIOS main office at Noida, through the Guwahati branch office.

Meanwhile, the NGO Child Line has released a statement regarding the “sheer mockery” of NIOS exams being conducted at a school near ADC Court. According to Child Line, based on statements of parents and guardians of NIOS students, on March 28 the students had to wait from 2:30-7.30pm to appear for the exam.

“Around 7.30pm, answer scripts (no question papers)

were brought for the students and were directed to copy the answers and submit the same. Students and some other people who didn’t appear to be students were busy copying from the readymade circulated answer scripts. The so-called exam went on till 10:40pm,” Child Line stated.

On March 29, exam started around 3.30pm and was over by 6.00pm, wherein, stated Child Line, the same routine was repeated. It was learnt that in all other NIOS exam centers in the country, exam timing is from 2:30-5:30pm. Child Line has appealed for the DEO Dimapur to look into the issue.

While the DNSU asserted that it will not allow education to be compromised in any manner, it stated, “such malpractices and exploitation of students have to be stopped.”

Former FGN Prez Scato Swu passes away

DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 Scato Swu’s funeral (MExN): Former President of the FGN, Scato Swu passed service is scheduled to away on April 7 at 11:00am, at his residence in Satakha be conducted at Local town. He was 90. Swu had Ground, Satakha Town, joined the Naga National on April 9 at 1:00pm.

Movement on March 19, 1956 and held various posts under the Federal Government of Nagaland. He was also the Prime Minister of the Revolutionary Government of Nagaland from 1968 till its dissolution in 1973. He further held posts as Ambassador to India; Advisor to Sumi Ahng; Speaker to Tatar Hoho (Naga Parliament) and Vice President of the FGN. Swu was nominated as a Member of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha in 1974 and Scato Swu re-nominated in 1980. He worked in numerous Parlia- cation, Agriculture, Railways, mentary Committees: Home, Shipping, SC/ST, Surface Civil Aviation, Defense, Edu- Transport, and also with the

Indian Tourism Corporation.

He was also appointed as Honorary Member of National Commission for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes in 1989. Swu was also a member of the Sumi Literature Board, coauthored an Anglo-Sümi Dictionary and jointly revised the Sümi Bible translation, ‘Sülekutho’ and ‘Hails & Blames; A Brief Account of Naga Independence Struggle’ are his literary works, which have been published.

He is survived by his wife, four sons, three daughters and 19 grand children. The funeral service is scheduled to be conducted at Local Ground, Satakha Town on April 9 at 1:00pm.

Nagaland Governor mourns Nagaland State Governor, Dr. Ashwani Kumar has expressed sadness at the de-

mise of Scato Swu. In a letter to Hukato Swu, one of Scato Swu’s sons, the Governor stated that Swu was “a proud leader of Nagaland.” “He shall always be remembered for his contribution to the welfare of the people of Nagaland. In his demise, we have lost a tall and prominent leader,” the Governor said. He further extended condolences to members of the bereaved family.

Nagaland CM condoles Nagaland State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio expressed grief at the demise of Scato Swu. A press note from the CM’s office stated that Swu was a “dedicated public leader, who constantly worked in the most committed manner in the interest of the people.”

“In his demise, the people of Nagaland have lost a true leader,” the CM said.

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Dimapur

Tuesday

LocaL

8 April 2014

Training on disaster management for youth

Dimapur, april 7 (mExN): The Administrative Training Institute, Nagaland conducted its first training for the year 201415 on ‘disaster management for the youth’ on April 5. Altogether 71 youth members attended the training. A press release issued by State Coordinator, ATI Dr. Hovithal N. Sothu informed that topics taken were basics of disaster management, first aid –theory, first aid –practical hands on practice and earthquake safe tips. The resource persons for the day were Dr. Hovithal N. Sothu, State Coordinator (DMC) ATI and Deepak Lama of Central Training Institute, Tuluvi, Dimapur.

In the valedictory function, the Course Coordinator Dr. Hovithal N. Sothu thanked the participants for their enthusiasm to learn about disasters and thanked Home Guards and Civil Defence Department for giving the service of Deepak Lama. He also encouraged young people to stand for clean elections and to cast their vote on the polling day to elect the right person to represent them for the next five years. On behalf of the participants, Vipulhu Zashumo thanked the Institute and the resource persons for helping them with the much needed knowledge of Disaster Management and First Aid.

The Morung Express C

Small Creatures: Big Threats World HealTH day oBServed

WSBAK life career counseling seminar

Dimapur, april 7 (mExN): The Youth Department under WSBAK is organizing one day life career counseling seminar for Class X- Post

Graduate on April 10 at Aküvüto, WSBAK Mission Centre. Therefore, Youth Secretary Rev. Ikuto Jimo has requested all the Youth Leaders to take the initia-

tive in encouraging the Youth members to attend the Seminar without fail and be blessed. Everyone is requested to reach the Nursing students presents a song during the World Health day held at Kohima on April 7. mission Centre by 9:00 am. (Morung Photo) Morung Express News to health more meaningfully Vector-borne diseases are in each others’ lives and the long lasting insecticide Kohima | April 7 community. treated net, indoor residual “Vector borne diseases are Dr. P Tia, Jt. Director & spraying with insecticide one of the greatest contribu- SPO (NVBDCP) chaired the like DDT, pyrenoids, spraytor of mortality and morbid- event and a special number ing outer surfaces of animal ity in tropical settings and was presented by the nurs- shelter, outer latrine & damp beyond,” said Dr. Takonung- ing students followed by a places, adding chemical to sang Lemtor, Director (FW), speech by Dr. Takonung- drinking water for purificaChief Invitee on the World sang Lemtor, Director (FW). tion, using insect repellent Health day held on April 7, at Vote of thanks was given by like coils, vaporizing, aerothe Health Care Laboratory Sr. Vethihulu, Deputy Direc- sols, lid-water containers to & Research Centre Confer- tor (NVBDCP). prevent mosquito breeding, ence hall, NHAK Kohima Dr. Takonungsang point- introducing larvivorus fish under the theme, ‘Small ed out that Scrub Typhus is a in ponds, waste-manageCreatures: Big Threats’ (Vec- major vector-borne disease ment, vaccination etc. tor Borne diseases). affecting Nagaland, howevVectors are living or“Each of us are daily er the National Vector Borne ganism that can transmit messengers of good health Disease Control Program infectious diseases from Shri Tokheho Yeptho (3rd from L), Shri Pukhavi Yeptho (4th from L), and practices for the people (NVBDCP) in India does not animals to humans. MosShri Nillo Rengma (2nd from L) with Party Workers at Hotel Saramati. in our community,” said include the disease while quitoes are the best known Dr. Nandira Changkija in covering only six disease disease vector some exth On 6 of April 2014 at Saramati Hotel, Dimapur, former independent candidate her keynote address to the namely Malaria, Dengue, amples of vector borne disDimapur-1 A/C Shri. Pukhkavi Yeptho and the Party Workers have decided to nursing students and medi- Japanese encephalitis, Chi- eases are Malaria, Dengue, join Indian National Congress Party and decided to extend full support to its concal practitioners present at kungunya, filariasis and Kala Chikungunya, tick borne sensus candidate Shri. K.V.Pusa. the event who pointed out Azar. In 2011, 19 people in diseases, Scrub Typhus the lack of responsibility in Nagaland died of Scrub Ty- and Yellow fever.

The declaration programme was held in presence of Shri.S.I.Jamir, MLA & spreading health awareness phus, followed by 9 in 2012 The World Health Day NPCC-I President, Shri. Tokheho Yeptho, MLA & CLP leader and Shri. Nillo to the society among many which increased to 13 deaths was an outcome of the first Rengma, NPCC-I Vice President Dimapur incharge and other Congress Party medical practitioners. Dr. in 2013. Death-related cases World Health Assembly orWorkers.

Changkija further stated that on Dengue, Filariasis, Kala ganized by the World Health staying healthy is not about Azar and Chikungunya were Organisation in 1948 which The meeting was chaired by Shri. A.Bendang Jamir Convenor, Core-Committee taking medicines or getting found nil while there were 2 today is held every year on and short speeches were delivered by Mahila President Banuo Rongmei and one’s blood tested but also deaths for Japanese enceph- April 7 to draw worldwide Pukiho Zhimo, Youth President and Shri. Zasi Zakiesato, Chief Agent. taking care of one’s environ- alitis and 1 death for Malaria attention to a subject of mament while exhorting the in 2013. jor importance to global congregation to contribute Some preventions for health each year.

DECLARATION

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IN GRATITUDE

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 We the family members express our heartfelt gratitude to all who stood by us during the shirt illness and demise of our beloved husband and father Lt B SHILU AO (Rtd IAS), who left for his Heavenly abode on 3rd April,2014.Your sincere prayers, contributions and words of encouragement will forever remain embedded in our hearts.

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Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of god that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Roman 8:39 Loving wife and family members.

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Dimapur, april 7 (mExN): All the women members, the wives and widows of national workers are informed that the first general conference of the National Socialist Women Wing (NSWW), GPRN/NSCN for the year 2014-15, will be held on April 16, 2014 at Khehoi designated camp. Everyone is asked to attend the conference without fail. For more information, please call the following mobile numbers. +91 9402489441: Tina RM Lotha, Chairperson, NSWW; +91 9862153018: Holitoli Aye, Advisor, NSWW; +91 9436414465: Vinili, Deputy Kilonser.

This was stated in a press release issued by Ministry of Information & Publicity, GPRN/NSCN.

KSU to organize career guidance Kohima, april 7 (mExN): The Kigwema Students’ Union (KSU) in collaboration with the Education Centenary Committee (Kigwema Baptist Church) will be organizing ac career guidance on April 12 under the theme “Be Prepared” with an objective to develop the students and the public in various fields under the topics- competitive examinations, entrepreneurship and farming.

The programme will commence from 9:30 AM onwards at Panchayat Hall, Kigwema.

The speakers of the programme include; Kesonyü Yhome, IAS, principal director school education, Government of Nagaland, Theja Meru, musician & entrepreneur and Associate Prof. Megoneitso Meyase, HoD, department of botany, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma.

The inaugural function will be chaired by KSU general secretary Diezelhoulie Yano while welcome address will be given by KSU president Teisovi Thorie. Short speech will be delivered by Jalesoü Yhoshü, convenor Centenary Education Committee.

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B.Ed Students of Salt Christian College, teacher’s education, en-acting a play on health education at Namgarh Higher Sec School Dimapur, on World Health Day.

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NagalaNd lok SaBHa PollS 2014

Roles of micro-observer and videographer/ photographers

The DC and District Election Officer Kohima W. Honje Konyak gave a final briefing to the selected Micro- Observer and videographer/photographer for the different polling station and building location for Kohima district today that is 7-04-2014 in its conference Hall. Briefing the 25 Micro-Observer and 19 videographer/photographers for the 16th General Election Lok Sabha in Kohima District, DC W.Honje Konyak highlighted on the importance of role and duties of the assigned Officials and apprised the Observer to maintain silence and to record confidentially during the process of polling day. He stated that both the Micro-Observer and videographer/photographer Officials were appointed under the provisions of section 159 of the Representation of the people Act 1951.

Kohima district SVEEP campaign culminates at Sechu

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NSWW GPRN/NSCN general conference

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The Kohima District Core Committee in collaboration with the Dept of Information & Public Relations conducted SVEEP Campaign at Sechu (Zubza) and culminated the week long campaign on 7th April 2014 with SDO (C) Sechu Mohammad Ali, IAS as the main speaker.

Speaking at the programme, the SDO (C) highlighted on the importance and necessity of registration of names in electoral roll, for casting and counting of votes and declaration of results in election. He said casting of votes is the most crucial phase as we decide our future based on our voting. He urged all the participants irrespective of gender who have attained the age of 18 years to exercise their adult franchise in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. He said ballot is the most important weapon as one single vote would make a difference as such it is mandatory and one’s responsibility to be a game changer in any elections.

‘My vote Makes My Future’

Kohima, april 7 (mExN): The SVEEP (Systematic Voter’s education Electoral Participation) Campaign, organized under the joint initiative of Election commission of India, CEO- Nagaland, YouthNet and State SVEEP icon Alobo Naga, with the pro-active support from Director and college administrator Kvulo Lorin and Hewasa Lorin culminated at Tetso College, Dimapur on April 6.

The campaign started two weeks ago at Kiphire district with the team travelling across Phek, Peren, Longleng, Tuensang, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zuneboto, Dimapur, Kohima and Mon district. The campaign was to encourage people to vote right during the elections scheduled to be held on April 9 in the state.

During the campaign, YouthNet representative Kuovizo Belho said, “If each one of us votes, we justify democracy and we voice our needs and belief in the leaders that we choose. This also cuts down opportunity for people selling our future by indulging in activities like vote selling, proxy voting, multiple voting, impersonations and more.”

Earlier the team had visited administrative Headquarters like Tseminyu, Jakhama and Chiephobozou Sub-Divisions under Kohima District. Village Council Chairmen, BLOs, students and leaders from different organisations participated at the programme.

Information Assistant Jakhama Metevizo Sothu also spoke on the importance of electoral participation. Information Assistant, IPR, Akummeren chaired the programme while vote of thanks was proposed by APRO, IPR, Nongozo Rikha.

Chairman K.Basa Pfuneilie invoked God’s blessing.

DC Dimapur urges for exercise of franchise

The Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer Dimapur, Nagaland has appealed to all the eli-

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Across all districts, DCs, ADCs, SDOs, EACs and various authorities encouraged the campaign by giving their time and sharing their views with the public, by emphasizing on the importance of voting right and encouraging others to do the same. Ruokuokhrienuo Vizotha and Sulika Chishi from YouthNet also gave presentations on the enrollment process and highlighted that with many young people using technology, having better access to information and looking at how other states are progressing, it is important for us to progress with the rest of the world. “We have development needs and our people want infrastructure, Jobs, peace, better healthcare and good

higher education,” they said.

Attended by hundreds across the districts, the audiences were also requested to share this information as many people were still not aware of their rights. A voter, for instance, complained that he only got one Voter’s ID whereas his friend had received two.

Pictures of individuals who were involved in double voting were showed (Approved by EC). They also faced challenges such as unions, groups, rains but overall were motivated to learn and share .

State SVEEP icon Alobo Naga who also has a huge fan following across the various districts of Nagaland, then took centre stage performing, having quiz

sessions and handing out CDs of the Election theme song created by various artists such as Alo Wanth, The Tetseo sisters, Sulika Achumi, Renbeni Odyuo, Shalo Kent, Asalie Peseyei, DJ INA, Moanungsang and Dimapur Sumi Baptist church children choir. Alobo also shared that sometimes we get pressured by our seniors/peers/communities to vote for a certain candidate, but we have the right to choose and to make them understand that we live in a democracy that allows us to choose who we believe in. He mentioned that Young Nagaland is progressing and good change is on its way.

The campaign was themed under ‘My Vote makes my Future’

gible voters to exercise their franchise without fail, for Lok Sabha polls on the 9th of April 2014 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In her appealed she stated that voters should not allow money or other considerations to influence their vote and that they should vote without fear or favour. She emphasised on “ONE MAN, ONE VOTE”, for a “Better Tomorrow”.

Official to be very careful in giving reports and conduct mock polls compulsory.

Master Trainer Albert also spoke on EVMs, the power point on SMS Based Poll Day Monitoring System was presented by T. Lumchamo Lotha DIO Peren. The EVMs will be distributed on April 8 from 6 a.m. onwards.

before being dispatched tomorrow. More than 40 vehicles with 4WD has been specifically arranged to transport the polling officials and polling materials through deplorable road, for successful conduct of election to the 15th Lok Sabha.

The Transportation committee had also informed that 6 (six) porters were arranged to carry the polling materials for Longwa Wasa polling station, as there is no road connectivity in this village. The polling officials will have to wake about 30 kms from Phomching subdivision to Longwa wasa.

Altogether Mon district has 219 Polling stations. Out of which 4 P/S are critical, 48 P/S are vulnerable and 167 P/S are normal. CCTV will be installed in the four polling station of 46 A/C, Mon ie 46/6, 46/9, 46/12 and 46/13.

(DIPR Photo)

Peren district final preparations for polls

In view of the ensuing Lok Sabha Election 2014 the last phase training for all Polling Personnel for Peren District was held at Town Hall Peren on April 7. DC Peren Peter Lichamo urged the Polling Officials to work as team to do their duty well which the Government of India has entrusted. The DC also reminded Polling

219 polling stations under Mon district

Polling parties for 55 A/C Tobu and 48 A/C Moka were dispatched today to their respective polling stations, numbering to 47 Polling station, while the remaining polling officials for the rest of the polling stations of the district will be dispatched tomorrow. All the polling officials were today issued the polling materials to check and compare with the check list and resubmit

C M Y K

3 Five NE states to vote tomorrow High turnout in Assam, Tripura

REgional

The Morung Express

iTANAgAr, April 7 (iANS): The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections will be held Wednesday for seven seats in five northeastern states - Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland. Balloting will be held in the two Lok Sabha constituencies each in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, one of the two constituencies in Manipur, and for the lone parliamentary seats in Mizoram and Nagaland.

In 2009, the Congress won both the seats of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur each, the lone seat of Mizoram and one of the two in Meghalaya. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won one seat in Meghalaya while Nagaland's lone seat was bagged by the Naga People's Front. Polling for the 60-member Arunachal assembly will also be held April 9.

While 11 Congress candidates, including Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, have been elected unopposed tio the Arunachal assembly, 163 people will contest for the remaining 49 assembly seats, and 11 candidates are vying for the

two Lok Sabha seats - Arunachal West and Arunachal East, both reserved for tribals.

Altogether, 759,498 voters would exercise their right to franchise for both the Lok Sabha and assembly polls in 2,158 polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh. The Congress or its breakaway groups have been in power in Arunachal Pradesh since 1980. The only time when the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power was in 2003, when former Congress chief minister Gegong Apang crossed over to the BJP camp. But the BJP government lasted for only 42 days.

In 2004, the Congress bagged 34 of the 60 assembly seats. It improved its tally in 2009 to 42. While the BJP bagged three and the NCP five, as many as 10 seats were captured by local parties and independents.

In Nagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will fight the Lok Sabha polls against Congress candidate K.V. Pusa. Rio's NPF is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. In all, 1,182,903 voters would cast their ballots in 2,059 polling stations to decide

Northeast Briefs Nido Tania killing: Custody extended New Delhi, April 7 (iANS): A court here Monday extended, for 14 days, the judicial custody of the four people allegedly involved in Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania killing case. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pritam Singh extended the custody of accused Pawan, Sunder, Sunny Uppal and Farman till April 21 after the four were produced before it. The four were booked under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for passing racist remarks against Tania. Tania, 19, died after being beaten up by several shopkeepers in south Delhi's Lajpat Nagar area Jan 29.

Manipur Tamils look for dream candidate iMphAl, April 7 (TNN): In the town of Moreh in Manipur, over 3,200km from Chennai, thrives a 3,500-member community of Tamils peacefully coexisting with the local population and looking forward to the Lok Sabha polls. Moreh is home to mixed community of over 30,000 and comes under the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency — a seat reserved for scheduled tribes. The Tamil settlement here came up in the 1960s in the aftermath of the military coup in neighbouring Burma (now Myanmar).

Uprooted Tamils fled to their home state Tamil Nadu where they faced hardships in refugee camps. When members of the community attempted to go back to Burma they were stopped by Junta officials on the border, after which they settled down at the border town itself. "The people in Moreh are peace loving and we participate in festivals of all communities. We are Manipuris after all. We also enjoy the Manipuris' favorite cuisines — eromba and Sigju," said K Subramanium, secretary of Moreh chamber of commerce.

Huge cache of arms seized in Mizoram AizAwl, April 7 (iANS): Ahead of the April 9 voting for the state's lone Lok Sabha seat, Mizoram Police seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition in the state, police said here Monday. "Four AK-47 assault rifles and one machine gun were recovered from two suspected gun smugglers from Champhai town (in eastern Mizoram) along the Mizoram-Myanmar border late Sunday," a Mizoram Police spokesman told reporters.

Police also recovered 1,200 rounds of bullets of AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 12 cartridges of the machine gun and one magazine. Two suspected arms smugglers, one of them a resident of Aizawl and the other from Myanmar, were arrested, while another suspect is on the run, police said. Mizoram shares unfenced border of 404 km with Myanmar and 318 km with Bangladesh. The mountainous terrain and dense forests make the border porous and vulnerable to smugglers, illegal immigrants and intruders crossing over.

IN ThE COURT OF DEPUTY COmmISSIONER DImaPUR DISTRICT hEaDQUaRTER ChUmUkEDIma, CamP: DImaPUR: NaGaLaND

NOTICE

Dated, Dimapur the 1st April 2014

No.M-305/14/18233-34: Notice is hereby given to M/s. Orchid Self Help Group resident of Kashiram Village in the Dist. of Dimapur,Nagaland under rule 50 & 51 of Assam Land Revenue Regulation 1886 have applied for mutation of land described in the schedule below:The undersigned under rule 52 of the said rules do hereby invites claims/objections concerning to the said land, if any & should be submitted to this court in writing on or before 3/5/14.

SCHEDULE OF LAND AND BOUNDARY Name of Patta Holder: Imtila Ao Village/Block: 05 Patta No.: 1462, Dag No. 1563 Area: 00B-01K-08L North: plot of Shri. Santemgba Ao South: plot of Shri. Nungshi Ao East: plot of Shri. Thirie Zeliang West: Approach Road Sd/Deputy Commissioner Dimapur: Nagaland

GOVERNmENT OF NaGaLaND

DIRECTORaTE OF LaBOUR New Capital Complex NaGaLaND: kOhIma

No.LBR-327/93 (Vol-I)/ /

Dated Kohima, the 7th April, 2014

CIRCULAR

As per the directive issued by the Election Commission of India vide its letter No. 491/SVEEP/07/2014 dated 23.01.2014 and also as per the direction given

by Chief Election Officer, Nagaland, all the factories, shops & establishments, corporate houses, trade unions and similar establishment registered under the Labour Department, Government of Nagaland are directed to grant paid holiday to its employees on the 9th April, 2014 to enable them to cast their votes.

All the employers owners, proprietors should strictly comply with the circular.

Sd/Er. L. NUNGSHIYANGER AIER Joint Labour Commissioner (HoD) Nagaland, Kohima.

the fate of three candidates in the fray for the lone Lok Sabha seat from Nagaland.

In Manipur, polling will be held for the Outer Manipur seat April 9 while the Inner Manipur constituency will vote April 17. Ten candidates are in the fray in Outer Manipur including the Congress's Thangso Baite, BJP's Gangmumei Kamei, Trinamool Congress's Kim Gangte and the NCP's Chungkhokai Doungel. In all, 899,626 people are eligible to cast their votes in 1,406 polling stations in Outer Manipur.

In Mizoram's lone Lok Sabha constituency, it will be a triangular fight between incumbent member C.L. Ruala of the Congress, Robert Romawia Royte of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and M. Lalmanzuala of the Aam Aadmi Party. The main opposition UDF is an alliance of eight parties led by the Mizo National Front, which ruled the state for two terms (19982003 and 2003-2008).

The MNF had won the Lok Sabha seat, reserved for tribals, in 2004.

By-election for the Hrangturzo assembly seat would also be held April

9. The by-election was necessitated after Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who won from two seats in the assembly polls held in November last year, vacated the seat.

Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu of the Congress would contest against UDF leader H. Lalduhawma, who unsuccessfully contested the last assembly polls from the same constituency. Altogether 702,189 people are eligible to vote in 1,126 polling stations in Mizoram.

Tight security measures have been taken in all the states. Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and Assam Rifles have been deployed in large numbers, said an Election Commission official. "Helicopters would be pressed into service and mobile surveillance squads would supervise the election," the official.

Considering hot weather and early sunrise and sunset, the poll panel has extended polling time by an hour in the northeastern region, except in Manipur and Nagaland, due to certain security concerns. Voters can cast their ballot from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shutdown hits life in poll-bound Mizoram AizAwl, April 7 (iANS): Normal life was affected in Mizoram Monday as six NGOs and student groups called for a threeday shutdown and boycott of the April 9 election to the lone Lok Sabha seat from the state to protest postal ballot facility to its refugees living in Tripura, officials said.

A police spokesman said that though normal life was affected, there was no untoward incident anywhere in the state, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The shutdown affected the movement of polling officials ac ross the state, said an Election Commission official.

Offices, shops, markets and other institutions remained closed in the capital city Aizawl. Most vehicles, except those of security forces, were off the roads, police said.

Six voluntary organisations and students' groups led by the Young Mizo Association (YMA) called the 72-hour state-wide strike and urged people to boycott Wednesday's polling.

"We launched the agitation as the Election Commission ignored our demand not to allow tribal refugees in Tripura to cast their votes in relief camps through postal ballot," YMA spokesman J. Lalsailova told reporters.

Of over 36,000 Reang tribal refugees living in seven camps in Tripura for the past 17 years after fleeing

their villages in Mizoram, 11,500 were on electoral rolls in Mizoram and 71 percent of them voted through postal ballot.

"In view of a threat given by NGOs in Mizoram to obstruct counting of postal ballot papers in Aizawl, the Election Commission has decided to count them in Kanchanpur (north Tripu-

ra) May 16," Kanchanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nantu Das told IANS. The Reang tribals - locally known as 'Bru' - fled their villages in Mizoram and took shelter in neighbouring Tripura in October 1997 after an ethnic conflict broke out with the majority Mizos over the killing of a Mizo forest official.

Tuesday

8 April 2014

72.5% voter turnout in Assam; 84% in Tripura

guwAhATi/AgArTAlA, April 7 (iANS): India went to the polls Monday, with nearly six million people casting their vote in five constituencies in Assam and one of two seats in Tripura. The chief ministers of both the northeastern states dismissed any "Modi wave" and expressed happiness at the high voter turnout of at least 72.5 percent in Assam and as high as 84 percent in Tripura.

The nine-phase Lok Sabha election, the world's largest democratic exercise involving 814 million eligible voters spread across 28 states and seven union territories, began Monday and ends May 12. The results will be out May 16.

The Election Commission in New Delhi said the voter turnout in Assam was 72.5 percent and was expected to go up as "people were still in queue to vote" while, in Tripura, it was 84 percent till 5 p.m. "Till 5 p.m., voter turnout was 72.5 percent...It might cross 75 percent," said a poll panel official.

Brisk polling was seen in five of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Congress-ruled Assam and one of the two in Marxist-ruled Tripura. Voting for only these six seats, out of a to-

GOVERNmENT OF NaGaLaND

DIRECTORaTE OF TOURISm NaGaLaND: kOhIma

NOTIFICATION Dated Kohima, the 7th April 2014

NO.TOUR (T&S)-3/2011-12/ 541// In pursuance to this Department's Advertisement dated 14/11/2013 in three local dailies, this is to notify to all the candidates who have applied to undergo 1 (one) year training programme in Travel Agency and Tourist Reception to be fully sponsored by the Ministry of DONER, Govt. of India, at Bangalore and Mysore that the interview for the same will be held at Hotel Japfu, Kohima on the 14th of April, 2014 from 10:30 a.m onwards.

For any further query you may please feel free to contact the Office of the Directorate of Tourism, Opp. Indoor Stadium, Raj Bhavan Road, Nagaland: Kohima during office hours.

(PURAKHU ANGAMI) Director of Tourism

OFFICE OF ThE DIRECTOR OF EmPLOYmENT & CRaFTSmEN TRaINING NaGaLaND: kOhIma

aDVERTISEmENT

/Dated Kohima, the th April' 2014.

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stituency, as polling was held for one of the two seats in the Left-ruled state, an official said. "Long queues of people were seen in most of the 1,605 polling stations.

Clear sky with excellent weather encouraged voters to come to the polling booths early," Tripura Chief Electoral Officer Ashutosh Jindal told IANS. Voting was delayed for a while in some polling booths due to technical snags in the EVMs but engineers either replaced or rectified the machines, he said.

Jindal said no major complaint of wrongdoing was received from any party.

Polling in the tribal reserved Tripura East constituency will be held April 12.

In Agartala, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar questioned a wave in favour of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. "Where is the Modi wave? There is no Modi wave not only in Tripura but also in the entire country. The corporate media has created this so-called wave," Sarkar said.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi spoke on similar lines in Jorhat after casting his vote: "Modi magic will not work here. It is Tarun Gogoi's magic that will work here."

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GOVERNmENT OF NaGaLaND

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tal 543 in the country, was held Monday.

An estimated 6.4 million people were eligible to vote for the five seats in Assam.

In Assam, polling was peaceful even as the day coincided with the 'Raising Day' of insurgent outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

As balloting began at 7 a.m., people queued up at polling stations in Tezpur, Jorhat, Kaliabor, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur. Polling was briefly delayed in a few of the 8,588 booths due to technical snags in the electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The political fate of 51 candidates were sealed in the EVMs in Assam's first phase of polling. Three constituencies will go to the polls April 12 and the remaining six April 24.

Prominent candidates whose electoral fate was sealed Monday include the chief minister's son Gourav Gogoi, outgoing Congress MP Bijoy Krishna Handique, BJP state president Sarbananda Sonowal, and union ministers Ranee Narah and Paban Singh Ghatowar.

In Tripura, over 80 percent of the 1.2 million electorate cast their votes till 5 p.m. in Tripura West con-

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C M Y K

4

local/public discoursE

Tuesday

Dimapur

8 April 2014

KYI partners with NEICORD in Wokha

Wokha, april 7 (MExN): A Wokha-based advocacy organization Kyong Youth Initiative (KYI) has partnered with NEICORD (North East Committee on Relief and Development) in Wokha district to implement the project on “Improving access to information and delivery of public service scheme in remote and backward districts of North East India” for the years 2014 to 2017.

In a meeting held on April 5 at Hornbill Hotel here, the members deliberated at length

about the project. Introducing the project, Yiben R.Humtsoe, Convenor of KYI handed over the document recording its partnership as a core CSO/ NGO to Limaakum jamir, District coordinator (PSP), NEICORD in the presence of KYI members.

Acknowledging the cooperation received from the Central Executive Committee of KYI, the District Coordinator (PSP) asked the members to join hands and make the project a reality, stated a press release is-

sued by Media Cell, KYI. During the meeting, enumerators for the project were inducted from amongst the KYI members present.

The project aims to bring about improvement in people’s access to transparent and quality information on central sponsored schemes specially focusing on women and marginalized households. It is to be implemented in seven districts of five identified North East States of India focusing on ten identified key schemes cov-

ering various sectors such as health, education, livelihood and food security, women and child development, rural development, agriculture, etc.

In Nagaland, Wokha is the district selected for the project.

ACTED along with four partners, namely NEICORD, Public Affairs Center, North East Development Foundation and Nanda Talukdar Foundation will implement the project, while the funding for the project implementation is from the European Union.

KDFPO construct marketing Preaching the Word - A sermon book april 7 (MExN): A place cum go-down DiMapur, sermon book entitled “Preaching the Word”, written by Dr. Chekrovei Cho-o, Associate Professor of Applied Theology at Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS), Dimapur was released on April 3 at Chakhesang Baptist Church Dimapur. A press release informed that the book was released by OTS principal Rev. Dr. Wati Aier in the presence of the publisher Viziengu Vupru, proprietor of Hallelujah Book Center.

The book with a foreword by Alongla P Aier contains 40 sermons for various occasions and tips for preparation and delivery of sermon that will help theological students and clergies in ministry as well as lay preachers. Copies of the book will be made available at Hallelujah Book Center, near Nagarjan Police

kohiMa, april 7 (MExN): The Kohima District Farmers Producers Organization (KDFPO) has informed that the horticulture department has provided amount to the organization and enabled them to construct four marketing place cum go-down at four zones - Sechu Zubza, Khuzama, Tsiese Basa and Henbenji under Kohima district.

Besides, the department is making all efforts in providing seasonal crop seeds, water pumps, other mechanized items etc. to uplift the living standard of the villagers through Self Help Groups (SHGs).

It may be mentioned that under the banner of KDFPO, there are 85 registered active SHGs under horticulture department. These SHGs are getting opportunities to sell and exhibit their products on various occasions like Hornbill Festivals, Republic Day etc. This was stated in a release issued by Kezhaselie K. Kuotsu, president KDFPO.

(L-R) Chekrovei Cho-o, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Viziengu Vupru, and Pastor Lohe during the release of the book “Preaching the Word” on April 3 at Chakhesang Baptist Church Dimapur.

Point, Dimapur and some other leading book stores in Nagaland.

Sanitizing barber shops in Mokokchung

MokkchuNg, april 7 (MExN): Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industries (MCCI) organized a one-day sensitization workshop for barbers in Mokokchung town on April 6. The program highlighted the importance of sanitation and use of clean barber materials for healthy society, a press release informed.

Speaking at the seminar, NMP+ president Wapang and his colleague Toshi Sangpi highlighted on the infection of HIV virus from carrier to other non HIV persons.

NMP+ officials also stressed on the need for cleanliness of hair salon and materials used by the barbers.

Dr. Amenla from IMDH during her speech said that most of the blood transmitted diseases are infected at unsanitized hair salons. She also highlighted various precautionary measures to prevent transmission of communicable diseases from the carrier to other costumers and the barber himself. She also emphasized on various hygienic barber tools and disinfectants for safety and healthy society.

According to the note, the workshop amended 7 resolutions: “Every barber must wear mask; Every barber must wear his apron during hair cutting; Every barber must keep 5 aprons each for his costumers; Every barber must possess 5 numbers of scissor, combs, shaving knives with replaceable blade system; Used shaving knives must be disinfected with Bleaching Powder; For safety of ear barber must use cotton; Medically recommended medicines and liquids must be used during shaving and hair cutting.”

ATMA Phek, Kikruma block officials with participants of demonstration-cumfield day programme at Chesezu Nasa village on March 31, 2014. Demonstration covered topics on preparation of banana chips, gooseberry pickle. Shetalü (AO) Pfutsero, Potsülü (SMS) ATMA Phek & Vethilü (BTM) Kikruma Block were the resource persons. Altogether, 36 farmers attended the programme.

NAYO expels one

kohiMa, april 7 (MExN): Northern Angami Youth Organization (NAYO) has informed that following a complaint of molestation of a woman by a non-local businessman, it took an initiative to ascertain the facts and take necessary action thereon. In the course, it was established that the offence was “genuine and serious in nature.” Therefore, based on the gravity of the offence, the NAYO has expelled the offender

from further residing in Kohima with immediate effect, stated a press release issued by NAYO president Peter Rutsa and its press secretary Rukravolie Rulho.

The offender has also been forwarded to the law enforcing agency for necessary action. In this respect, NAYO has lauded the Muslim Welfare Society Kohima for co-operation and promptly identifying and handing over the accused.

_

LEISURE

Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box co ntains the digits 1 through 9.”

SUDOKU Game Number # 2842

* * * *

The Morung Express

General Information on Indian Election

The Nagas are not Indians.

Nagaland is not Indian Territory.

Any amount of India’s elections through forced occupation of Nagaland will not save its image.

What is wrong cannot be made right with sham elections.

Urra Uvie Publicity Cell Naga National Council

A

NSCN (IM) responds to press report

propos to the press reportage dated 6th wang Lowang, NPF Candidate, was transApril 2014, accusing the NSCN/GPRN of porting Khaplang gang from village to village assaulting NPF workers of lower Chinhan vilfor election campaign. For instance, we were lage, Tirap district on 6th of April, 2014 in some ambushed at Longliang village on 4th April, local dailies; we are clear that any person/group 2014 by the Khaplang gang but fled as they having connection with Khaplang gang and the were outmanoeuvred by our soldiers.

Assam Rifles do not represent Nagas interest. 3. It has come to our knowledge that Assam RiAfter thorough enquiry and investigation to the fles and khaplang are hand in glove intimiallegation made by NPF we are highlighting the dating the surrounding villages to vote for following findings to remove the misreporting Phawang Lowang. and misunderstanding in the future: 4. It is also a fact that Phawang Lowang is hav1. The incident in question that happened at ing a secret understanding with Terong, Sanliam Village was not in any manner rePeoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) who is havlated to the current election flavour but it ing an “open tie-up” with the Khaplang gang was a matter of some persons claiming to be patronized by one Johny claiming to be the NPF and Congress workers from another vilRevenue Kilonser of Khaplang gang. lage known as Chinhan Village who were detained for security reasons.

Kuknalim.

2. It is well known that the supporter’s of PhaMIP-GPRN.

Rejoinder to the article “Boundary between the Nagas and Assamese”

T

he article “Boundary between the Nagas and Assamese” written by Shri.

T.L Angami which appeared in various local newspapers is worth to be appreciated as it carries the fact of the traditional land and its boundaries of Nagas particularly in the Tenyimis area. As clearly stated, the Government of India is well versed with those historical traditional boundaries of Naga, and while reiterating the article, it is solely based on the fact that the historic 9th Points Agreement and 16th Points Agreement were signed in order to return the land of Nagas which is still kept pending.

The Nagas therefore, tolerantly waited till dated for the GOI to implement the agreement so as to maintain peaceful co-existence among different community, however, failure on the part of GOI to implement the agreement have invited numerous confrontation and even resulting to clashes which the GOI should fully held responsible for all the incident and pay compensation as and where necessary.

In addition, the Nagas should not be treated as ‘encroachers’ by any governing authority as we have every

right to occupied the traditional land demarcated under the historic agreement with GOI. Further the formation of so called‘UnitedNagaTribeAssociation’ also should not thwart the traditional historical boundaries and its fact. Therefore, as advised bytheformerwriter,theTenyimis traditional land boundary is far beyond the so-called claimed by the UNTA, and the same case is still pending in the Supreme Court of India awaiting for the finalverdict.Therefore,itisadvised that the so-called UNTA not to misled our people and ignite the historical fact of our Tenyimis traditional land which is conquered byourforefathersthroughbloodshed.

Hence, as brothers and sisters through Naga blood, it is further suggested that, the owner be consulted before any eventuality took place to discard our Naga brotherhood.

The Chakhro Angami Kuda Youth Organization (CAKYO) is saddened to see the news item published in various local dailies on 3rd April 2014 under the caption “JAC condemns border firing incident” accusing Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for thwarting his “responsibility as a Naga leader”.

Taking serious note over the accusation, the CAKYO would like to elucidate that, calling for peaceful co-existence among all community either it be within or outside with the neighbours by any leaders/person should be respected. As JAC itself had claimed that “it has no fight with the Assamese or Karbis but only trying to “share the disputed land, presently occupied by the Gurkhas and Bangladeshi (Tilla Bosti, Notun Bosti) and adjoining areas”. Whereas, the word ‘share’ maintained by the JAC is no different with ‘co-exist’ called

by Chief Minster.

Therefore, Rio’s appeal to learn to co-exist with one another is nothing wrong with the presumption of the so-called JAC as stated.

Further, it is to state that the so-called dispute area is still awaiting the final verdict form the Supreme Court of India, we therefore, advice the JAC Committee or any individuals not to politicize any area under dispute just for mere publication.

Thejangulie Angami President CAKYO Kevishel Viswentso General Secretary CAKYO

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 2850

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STD CODE: 03862

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5 LOCAL NPF President slams Cong on ‘Naga issue’ NPCC recaps communal and Tuesday

The Morung Express

KOHIMA, APRIL 7 (MExN): NPF President, Shurhozelie Liezietsu today stated that for the last ten years, “the Naga people have been expecting UPA Government in Delhi to take up Naga political issue.” But, the president in a press release stated, “They (UPA) failed to take up the issue at the behest of their leaders in Nagaland because, for them, the 16-Point Memorandum was the final agreement.”

He said that the Naga people boycotted the General Elections in India in 1952 and 1957. But when an interim Government was set up in 1960 as per the 16-Point agreement, election became inevitable. “But the Naga people found that the 16-Point Agreement failed to stop bloodshed in Nagaland because the agreement was made without the consent

8 April 2014

of the people for whom the agreement was proposed to be made,” he added. Liezietsu noted that when the agreement failed to stop bloodshed, “few leaders like Kevichasa, Vizol, Tajen and few others, whose integrity had withstood the test of time, came together and formed 'Cock Party' to start a new chapter to pave the way for a final political solution.”

Against this backdrop, he said that the NPF “continues to advocate solution to the lndo-Naga political problem.” “Naga political struggle is said to be the longest political struggle in the whole world. This may be due to disunity among the Naga national workers on the one hand and the insincerity of the Government of India under UPA on the other hand,” he mused. Liezietsu stated that solution to the problem rests with the

conflicting parties and not with the facilitator/mediator. “We are neither in conflict with the Government of India nor the Naga national workers. Our role is to mediate and, therefore, to appeal to both the parties to come together to the conference table and hammer out a solution,” he said.

Liezietsu stated that “the allegation that Neiphiu Rio had promised to bring solution of the Naga political problem within three months is absurd.” He asserted that the NPF “is always prepared to go to any extent, even risking our political career to support any disseminative move.” In 1998, he noted that, when all other political parties had decided to refrain from contesting elections under the theme 'solution and not election' in order to draw the attention of the Government of India to

the protracted Naga political problem, it was the Congress party which “betrayed the Naga people at the last moment by filing their nomination under heavy security as if all their candidates were under Z+Category.” “The Central para-military forces had provided all necessary protection to them. They installed a Government and had run it for five years without the mandate of the people,” the NPF President said.

In 2012, when election was approaching, all the 60 members went to Delhi under the banner of Joint Legislature Forum and told UPA Government that solution to the Naga political problem should be taken up before election, he informed.

Lamenting that to this end, “nothing happened,” Liezietsu said that when JPF members met at Chumukedima, to discuss the matter,

“the Congress legislators said that they passed resolution to resign from the Assembly provided others are also prepared to resign.”

He iterated that the Nagaland CM had said that “NPF could resign but that should not be the end; once we resign, there should not be any election in Nagaland till the political problem is solved.” According to the NPF President, “the Congress members had said that they could not take such decision at their own without consulting their high command.” “The then Speaker who was also chairman of JLF had given them three days time to consult their high command and come back to the meeting but Congress members failed to turn up to the next proposed meeting which brought the efforts of JLF to an end,” he added.

NPF demands inquiry from ECI Excise steps up surveillance KOHIMA, APRIL 7 (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) has written to the Election Commission of India, demanding an inquiry into what it termed as the “unconstitutional and anti-democratic conduct” of Shambu Singh, Joint Secretary (NE), MHA. The letter, signed by NPF Working President, Apong Pongener to the Election Commissioner, alleged that the Joint Secretary had “tried to prevent” Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio from visiting Manipur state on campaign.

NPF informed that on March 29 and 31, the Nagaland CM was scheduled to campaign for the NPF candidate at Tamei and Tamenlong followed by Chandel and Ukhrul in Manipur. It stated that for this purpose, the NPF and the CM’s office had obtained all necessary clearances from all agencies concerned, including the

government of Manipur for helicopter service.

However, it alleged that “instructions were issued by the above mentioned officer of the MHA directing the Assam Rifles officers not to allow the helicopter of the Nagaland CM to land in Manipur.” As such, the Nagaland CM was informed by senior officers of the state government, including the RO that the CM’s helicopter would not be allowed to land in Manipur. These messages were informed to the CM through phone and text messages, it said. “However, since the election commission of India had not given any such direction in black and white, the Chief Minister proceeded to Manipur as per the schedule submitted to the ECI,” the letter added.

The NPF called upon the ECI to immediately inquire into the conduct and behavior of the official con-

cerned and demanded that unless such investigation is completed, “he should be placed under suspension.”

It termed the official’s actions as having undermined the role of the ECI and that it “brought disrepute to the world’s largest democracy.” It stated that though the official had denied giving any such instructions, through the media, NPF stated that there are phone records and text messages, “which confirm that Shambhu Singh had given the instructions.” “This was through officers of the Assam Rifles and the election commission,” it alleged.

It further reminded that the Nagaland government had urged upon the government of India not to appoint any officer belonging to cadre of any NE state, in the MHA in charge of the NE, in order to maintain neutrality and fairness.

DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): The Nagaland Excise Department has called upon the people in Nagaland state, to help the department, in ensuring free and fair elections and to avoid alcohol related violence in the state. A press note from the Additional Commissioner of Excise and state Nodal Officer EEM, informed that the ECI has designated the Excise department to check illegal flow of liquor and drugs in the state, as “Election Expenditure Monitoring,” and to avoid alcohol related violence during the election.

The state Excise Department has also issued a travel advisory to all public/private vehicles, transporters and carriers not to carry any liquor. It cautioned that offenders would be subject to arrest and detention, which will be under the direct scanner of the ECI.

The department has designated the Superintendents of Excise for all District HQs, as District Nodal Officers for election expenditure monitoring duty. It informed that the department has activated its field formation and activities, stepped up surveillance duty in all sensitive entry and exit routes in the district and has set up a control room, which will function 24X7.

The department further made an appeal for all churches, NGOs, civil societies, student organizations, ward/colony chairmen and GBs in the state to form “vigilant groups” in their respective areas, to keep strict vigil and thwart illegal use, storage, sale and distribution of liquor. It further urged the public to report such information to the control room at 03862-248670 or 9774195850.

corruption charges against NPF

DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): The NPCC today stated that NPF President, Dr Shurhozelie “stoutly defending” the NPF’s alignment with communal BJP will be an unfortunate chapter in the history of the state. “Perhaps Dr Shurhozelie and the NPF leaders have long forgotten their upbringing and beliefs due to years of rampant misgovernance that has completely erased their conscience to distinguish between good and evil,” stated a press release issued

by NPCC Media Cell. The communal colors of the NPF, it said, was glaringly evident when NPF carried out an election rally at City Tower point Dimapur on Sunday (April 6) when majority of the believers were attending church services all over the state.

Over the years, the NPCC accused, “the NPF government had reduced the relevancy of Sundays by holding official functions, important meetings and observing festivities on a day that is supposed to be revered by Christians and taken as rest day even by the non believers.” The release added, “The ready acceptance of communal forces (BJP-RSS) as their

Dmp police seizes liquor DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): The Flying Squad and Static Surveillance team of Dimapur Police have been conducting various checks and raids regularly for the past week in order to curb the movements of illegal liquor and other contraband goods, including illegal cash during the election period. Stating this in a press release, additional superintendent of police/ PRO, Dimapur informed that during checks and raids at different locations in and around Dimapur and highway, which includes more than 2000 vehicles, many seizures were made. The detection and seizures included 1800 bottles of various brands of IMFL and a cash amount of Rs.1,22,400/- only. According to the note, in these connections, a total number of 11 persons have been taken into custody and bound down under various sections of law. The Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Team will continue to carry out such checks in compliance with the directives of the election commission, the note added.

civil code, one culture that is Hinduism. “Nagaland as a Christian state should come together as one cutting across party lines and defeat the communal force,” he appealed.

He said, “like BJP which could not release a manifesto when northeast is already going to polls the Naga People’s Front (NPF) could not release manifesto,” adding, electorates have to know what is the agenda of the party for the state. “NPF needs to spell out or we will witness another last row occupant in the parliament.”

Pusa highlighted some

of the Congress programmes listed in the manifesto such as health pension, free housing scheme, 10 crore jobs for educated unemployed youths, national youth policy, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan for creation of 70 new universities, easy loans up to Rs. 1 lakh for women, bank account for all citizens of the country, women empowerment and many more.

The Congress candidate also slammed the state government for alleged rampant corruption and emptying the state’s coffer at the cost of common people. He said all developmental activities have come to a halt due to

Condolences for Scato Swu NLA speaker: Nagaland Legislative Assembly speaker Chotisuh Sazo has expressed shock at the sudden demise of Scato Swu, former member of Rajya Sabha on April 7 at his residence in Satakha. In a condolence message, Sazo acknowledged that the deceased was an ardent social worker and supported the solution of the Naga problem and tirelessly worked for the political settlement of the Naga problem with the Government of India.

Sazo has expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to the almighty to grant them solace and courage to withstand the loss.

APO: The Angami Public Organization (APO) while conveying extreme pain at the sudden demise of Scato Swu, has said, late Swu was one of the most important figures and an indispensable personality in the 67 years long drawn Naga political struggle. “The towering figure that he commanded among our people and the contributions he has rendered shall remain ever alive in the annals of the Naga political history,” stated a condolence note issued by APO president. “In his death, we have lost one true son of Nagaland who lived a patriot’s life.” Remembering him as a leader, an educationist and an astutely upright man of his words both in the face of his

friends and foes, the note added, “As a very grateful people, we must remember and salute him.” APO further extended condolences to the bereaved family.

NTC: The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has expressed shock over the demise of Scato Swu. Terming him one of the prominent senior Naga leaders “who made selfless sacrifice of his entire cream of life for the welfare of the Naga people,” NTC stated, his death at a time when societies needed him most for guidance and consultation has created void in the Sümi Community in particular, and Nagas in general. NTC while expressing sadness has conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

Naga Hoho: The Naga Hoho has remembered Scato Swu as a patriot and an intellectual leader who had served the FGN in various capacities through thick and thin. He was also the President of FGN from 19591976. The Hoho in a condolence note stated that Swu’s contribution towards the Naga political movement is immensely acknowledged and will be cherished always.

“In his death, we have lost a great leader of our motherland who was a true patriot.” Expressing sadness at his death, the Hoho prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and serenity and calmness of the bereaved family.

rampant misuse of public funds. He also highlighted how NPF MPs have grossly pocketed Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. So far NPF have not reacted to the siphoning of funds by its MPs, he added.

Pusa assured to work for

inclusive development “unlike the NPF whose policy is for exclusive where it has created a wide gap between haves and have nots.” He also assured for equal distribution of funds for development with a thrust area on women, youths and people in rural areas.

DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): Naga People’s Front (NPF), Dimapur division has lamented the installation of CCTV in polling stations – 7 Jharnapani and 14 Medziphema BI-III under 5 Ghaspani-II A/C terming it “favouritism”.

In a letter to the deputy commissioner & district

Stating that Congress is for peace, progress and prosperity of state like Nagaland, he alleged “the state has never witnessed a corrupt government like the NPF which has taken state backward.”

Several hundreds of people attended the last rally of the Congress, said the release.

Home Minister appeals to AKK leaders KOHIMA, APRIL 7 (MExN): Nagaland Home Minister, G Kaito Aye has appealed to leaders of the Aghunaqa Kukami Kuqhakulu (GBs Union) to reconsider their decision to boycott the 16th Lok Sabha elections scheduled

on April 9. While noting the grievances raised by AKK, the Home Minister assured that its demands would be taken up at the highest level for a solution. He further appealed for the union to reconsider its decision and al-

low the electorate in its area to exercise their franchise.

AKK have been demanding for shifting of existing polling stations Nos. 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 of 4-Ghaspani I A/C at Kiyezu Village to Aghunaqa area.

CEO Nagaland pleads with Election Commission KOHIMA, APRIL 7 (PTI): The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Nagaland, has sought the intervention of the Election Commission to use its office to urge Assam Police vacate a school building, situated along the state border, for voting purpose.

CEO Nagaland Sentiyanger Imchen told a press meet that voting in Ladaigarh Polling Station No. 1,

located at the government lower primary school had to be shifted to a different spot even during the past elections, "As the Assam police personnel were occupying the building."

Maintaining that the school building is a designated polling station for 302 electorate of the area, Imchen requested Assam police to vacate the school building so that people of the

area can cast their vote in the designated polling station.

He, however, added that even if the school building was not vacated, alternative arrangements will be made within the periphery so that people can exercise their franchise. Nagaland government and the state election department have taken up the matter with the Election Commission and Union Home Ministry, he said.

Excise Mobile Squad intensifies check on liquor DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): Intensifying its effort to curb the free flow of liquor into Nagaland, the Excise Mobile Squad detected and compounded fifty five liquor offences under NLTP Act ’89 in the month of March 2014 alone. In this

connection, 55 persons were arrested and 1249 bottles of assorted liquor and 77 litres of country liquor (Rohi) seized.

A press release informed that the seized country liquors were destroyed on the spot and the assorted IMFL have been kept in the malkhana

for future destruction.

“Insufficient manpower and lack of pool vehicles are the biggest hindrance in the implementation of liquor prohibition in Nagaland,” stated GhokihoYeptho, Superintendent of Excise Mobile Squad in the release.

Coordination meeting held at Merangmen MOKOKcHUNg, APRIL 7 (DIPR): A coordination meeting of 9 (nine) villages under Merangmen administrative circle was held on April 5 in connection with the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2014 under the chairmanship of Nyempo Wallim.

All Council Chairmen and GB representatives of the villages attended the meet-

ing. They were briefed on the guidelines and instructions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and informed of the None Of The Above (NOTA) option available on the voting machine.

The electors of these nine border villages under Mokokchung district do not have polling stations in their own villages. Therefore, they

high command and following the ways of communal forces goes to prove that the power hungry NPF leaders like Rio and Shurhozelie can go to any extent to cling on to power. If only these leaders have shown their flexibility with regards to Naga political issue as they did with joining communal forces, solution would not have eluded the Nagas for the past 17 years.”

Asserting that the NPF government’s misdeeds are endless and the state is currently staring at the prospects of financial emergency being declared any time NPCC cited that the school education department received an amount of 216.65 crores from 2008-2012 under SSA program; while the utilization report was mere 34.19 crores in which 181 crores went unaccounted.

Under RMSA program, the state received an amount of 6292.18 lakhs from 2009-13 but the actual expenditure report was only 5708.495 lakhs, highlighting financial misappropriation of 583.685 lakhs. The Dimapur-Niuland road covering a distance of 28 km consumed 28.83 crores in 2010-11, the release added.

However, it said, “works on ground was more of fill-

ing up potholes and black painting the existing metalled road thereby proving a case of shoddy workmanship displayed by the contractors in connivance with the then minister for R&B in DAN-II.” ‘BJP manifesto a threat to ongoing Naga political peace talks’ Meanwhile, NPCC stated that the BJP election manifesto which was released today expectedly brought out its commitment to abrogate Article 370 in J&K, facilitate construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, protect and promote cow and its progeny and to draft a Uniform Civil Code.

“While Rio has loudly proclaimed the seriousness of BJP to find solution on the Naga political issue, the BJP manifesto that was released today rather promises to deal with insurgent groups in North East with a firm hand, implying that they will never yield to the demands of insurgent groups,” NPCC added. “The BJP Manifesto is therefore a threat to ongoing Naga political peace talks apart from imposing their culture and beliefs on the Nagas who are religious minorities in the larger context of the nation.”

Political party laments CCTV installation in some polling stations

Pusa accuses DAN govt of rampant misuse of public funds KOHIMA, APRIL 7 (MExN): Congress candidate KV Pusa today stated that this year’s election is about two competing visions in India – “a plural, secular and inclusive vision represented by the Congress and a theocratic majoritarian communal vision represented by the BJP and its allies.”

A press release informed that addressing an election rally at PWD colony here, Pusa said, all the world governments have expressed view that once a hardcore Hindutva BJP comes to power, minorities across the country will face the brunt of RSS-BJP, one uniformed

Dimapur

have to travel up to Longtho village, which is more than 20 kms from the farthest village, to exercise their voting in the 8 (eight) Auxiliary Polling Stations.

The Sector Commander Lipoktemsu, A/C C/2nd NAP also addressed the meeting. He appealed to the villagers to exercise ethical and peaceful voting.

election officer, Dimapur, President K Shilu Sangtam sought clarification on what basis the aforementioned polling stations have to be monitored, “as the said polling stations have been peacefully conducting the election process in the past, instead there are many sensitive polling sta-

tions requiring intensive monitoring.” The letter stated it will be clear that “NPF stronghold is being targeted and election mechanism is being used in favor of opposition party unless CCTV from these polling stations are cancelled and move to more deserving sensitive polling stations.”

MEx FILE April 19 declared holiday KOHIMA, APRIL 7 (DIPR): The Government of Nagaland, Department of Home, has declared April 19 as a holiday in lieu of March 22, which was previously declared a working day.

Dimapur DC urges voters to exercise franchise DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): As Nagaland goes to polls on April 9 from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, deputy commissioner & district election officer, Dimapur, N Hushili Sema has appealed to each and every eligible voter to exercise their franchise without fail. “Do not allow money or other considerations to influence your vote. Vote without fear or favour,” she stated in a press release.

Drugs, liquor seized DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): The State Excise, narcotic enforcement cell in its effort to check illegal smuggling of narcotic, other drugs and liquor in the state under “Election Expenditure Monitoring” designated by the ECI for the ensuing Lok Sabha Elections 2014 has geared up its surveillance duty in all sensitive areas to prevent any possible escape. On March 2, altogether 6 persons were arrested and 13 kgs of ganja was seized from Khuzama check gate. Another three were arrested at Chumukedima excise gate and 107 bottles of cough syrup, 48 bottles of rum and 150 litres of country liquor were seized from Dimapur town on March 3. Pitongse Sangtam, Deputy commissioner of Excise (NC), Dimapur, in a press release informed that all arrested persons have been booked under the relevant section of NDPS Act’85, D&C Act 1940, and NLTP Act’89.

AR apprehends GPRN/NSCN cadre DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): 5 Assam Rifles on March 30 apprehended one GPRN/NSCN cadre identified as Hokugha Yeptho from Zunheboto. A press release from Assam Rifles informed that the operation was based on a specific input regarding presence of GPRN/ NSCN) cadre. The team recovered one pistol and “war like stores” from his possession. The apprehended cadre was handed over to the Zunheboto Police Station.

R&B minister condoles DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): Minister for Roads & Bridges (R&B) and Parliamentary Affairs, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu has mourned the demise of Nitoshe K Shohe after a prolonged illness in Dimapur on April 3.

Recalling late Nitoshe, father-in-law of Kikheto Y Sema, IAS, as an upright man who had tirelessly worked for the welfare of the Nagas in various capacities, the minister has conveyed his sincere condolence to the bereaved family. The minister sharing the grief with the family members also prayed for the almighty to grant them strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Grenade found at Jasokie Market on April 5 DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): GS Road Business Owner Association has vehemently condemned the grenade planted in a dustbin at the entrance of Jasokie Market during business hours on April 5 at 4:30 pm. In a press statement, GS Road BOA president meanwhile, thanked all police personnel and BDDS team for their quick response.

6

IN-FOCUS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express TuEsDAy 8 APrIl 2014 volumE IX IssuE 95

Seizing Hope!

A

n opportunity has once again dawned upon the Nagas to collectively discern and choose Hope and Reconciliation over Fear and Division. For Nagas, Hope is what will drive the revolution for transformation forward. For too long a sense of Hopelessness had weakened the spirit of the people, and allowed fear and suspicion to dominate the Naga skyline. Now is the time for Nagas to collectively choose Hope and overcome the seeds of suspicion and division; and to once again recover the spirit of living. In essence, it is the people who need to take ownership of Hope.

The present situation of the Nagas stands on soft and precarious ground. The Naga population is losing hope and trust on the commitment and priorities of Naga leaders and Naga political groups. Naga leaders are no longer listening to people’s voices and this is causing a crack in the Naga political consciousness. There is a deepening disconnect between those in leadership positions and the common public. And unless this disconnect is addressed in an effective and pragmatic manner, the real feelings, needs and concerns of the people will be marginalized from the decision making processes. Such a condition will ultimately lead to further self-destruction.

Naga leaders and the public are challenged to search deep within themselves and collectively decide and make Hope a living reality. They need to truthfully revisit the critical question of the common good and a shared future.

It is hence essential for the different Naga political groups to create the space for the people to rediscover Hope. The common Naga person needs to be assured of Hope and to believe that the Naga future represents an opportunity to provide a new life for all people.

Hence conscious and deliberate steps toward Hope need to be taken. Such steps need to be a praxis that is active, energetic, organized, imaginative, transformative and visionary. For the sake of all, the Naga political groups must choose Hope if the Nagas are to survive, flourish and realize their full potential as a free and dignified nation.

The Naga leaders of today cannot escape the responsibility to enable a reconciled and dignified shared Naga future to become a living reality. Posterity will judge whether the Naga political groups exercised wisdom and foresight in the making of a reconciled Naga future.

lEfT wiNg |

Valdenor Junior

Can the State Pardon Itself?

A

retired colonel was heard on March 25th by Brazil’s National Truth Commission (Comissão Nacional da Verdade) to clarify how “political prisoners were tortured” and identify “who was alive when they arrived, who died and who is still missing, as well as the torturers” from Casa da Morte (“Death House”), an underground center for repression located in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, during the country’s military regime.

The Truth Commission has been investigating violations of human rights during the dictatorship, but many have criticized it as an underhanded instrument used by leftists to advance their agenda.

Let’s turn back the clock. Fifty years ago, a coup d’état in Brazil kicked off the military dictatorship. Its officers, acting in stark opposition to the law, committed torture, forged suicides and made hundreds of people go “missing.” The transition to civil government is guilty of favoring “slow, gradual, and secure redemocratization” over individual rights. The Brazilian Constitution of 1988, so called “Citizen’s Document,” was an instrument of that injustice.

It has a name: The amnesty law, law number 6,683 from 1970. The problem wasn’t in pardoning political prisoners – which is fair and noble – but in its quid pro quo: The government gave out pardons to the violent crimes of its own officers in a kind of “self-amnesty.”

Victims and their family members were denied any hope of one day seeing the aggressors convicted for brutal violations of rights – which, for them, was not just a piece of technical jargon, but real pain and suffering in the hands of men who obeyed the command of authority, this terrible instrument of validation and insensitivity, as shown by the famous experiment carried out by Stanley Milgram. Hope dies last, but the state’s pardon of its own is hope’s capital punishment.

Current international law has an exaggerated deference for “states’ sovereignty” (it doesn’t recognize the right of free secession, for instance), but fortunately it recognizes that states must respect basic human rights.

The Brazilian state has accepted the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to judge reports of human rights violations.

In the case Gomes Lund and others (“Araguaia Guerilla”) vs. Brazil, the Brazilian state was accused for having pardoned the crimes of its agents, despite the “incompatibility of amnesties of grave violations of human rights with international law,” and was convicted. That is why it is a little unsettling when people who consider themselves “libertarians” criticize initiatives such as the National Truth Commission or the criminal prosecution of agents of the regime, as if they were issues only the far left could care about.

To ascertain what happened and punish crimes accordingly is libertarian. No state should have the right to waive punishment for its own crimes. How can it be fair that officers who work for a regime commit barbarian crimes and in the end go about their lives unscathed, because the government has decreed it was all fair game? Only adamant advocates of the state, who see it as a god on earth, would be able to think so.

Victims are victims — it doesn’t matter whether they are from one or another political affiliation. Their bloodshed must be vindicated. How can a state claim the victims don’t have the right to have their tormentors prosecuted? It is not possible to be a libertarian and believe that a professional criminal organization has the legitimacy to pardon the crimes of its agents just because it labels itself “the state.”

Clarifying crimes such as murder, mutilation and concealing of dead bodies is not a leftist maneuver — it’s basic human decency. You can’t be a libertarian if you don’t stand for it.

Valdenor Junior is a contributing author at the Center for a Stateless Society Op-eds from the Center for a Stateless Society are made available for free publication under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license

THE EDIT PAGE

C O M M E N T A R Y

David Graves Le Monde diplomatique

The push for a Scottish Yes

T

he last of the light had faded several hours before in Easterhouse, a deprived estate on Glasgow’s east side. In the car park of Shandwick Square shopping centre, the illumination came from the golden arches of a McDonald’s and a house-sized projection simply reading “Yes”.

A girl of about 12 gave out pink stickers that also just said “Yes”. Her mother kept an eye on her, while distributing bundles of campaign literature to the 45 canvassers assembled for the evening’s work.

They were members of the Radical Independence Campaign (RIC), a non-party aligned group seeking a Yes vote in Scotland’s independence referendum on 18 September. Despite the often acrimonious debate between the main campaigns — the pro-independence Yes Scotland and the unionist Better Together — RIC were launching the big push in their unashamedly socialist pitch for the hearts, minds and votes of the Scottish people.

For 80 years the Scottish National Party (SNP) has called for independence from the United Kingdom; for many of the last 24 of those years the party has been led by Alex Salmond. On winning an unprecedented majority in Scotland’s devolved parliament in 2011, the SNP secured a national referendum: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” The SNP’s vision for an independent country is based on “civic nationalism”, ostensibly progressive, inclusive and decentralising; it cannot be characterised by the insidious tropes often associated with nationalism.

In the early 1980s a faction of the party known as the 79 Group — a youthful Salmond was a leader — was “important in moving the SNP at least avowedly in a more social-democratic direction,” says John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University. “In truth their record in government by that criterion can certainly be challenged.” And it is this failure that RIC, started in 2012, seeks to address. Co-founder Jonathon Shafi says: “It’s not just an attempt to win a Yes vote, but an attempt to re-engage with a whole series of communities, right up and down Scotland, who for too long have been ignored by mainstream politics.

We believe that for Scotland, a Yes vote, is about more than a changing of the flags. We want a Yes vote to be married with a programme for radical social change.”

The left united The Radical Independence Campaign is the brainchild of the International Socialist Group, and has united campaigners from Scotland’s often fractious leftwing groups. A measure of its success was seen when its 2013 conference drew nearly 1,000 people (the SNP’s 2013 conference had 1,300 delegates).

In Easterhouse, the canvassers held a banner aloft for press photographers, saying “Britain is for the rich, Scotland can be ours”. A man shouted from their ranks: “You’re looking at the dangerous and appalling mob now!” Unionist politicians have criticised the group for being too radical — even revolutionary: many in the movement think that’s a compliment.

“We are dangerous, because we’re dangerous to their campaign,” says Liam McLaughlan, 17, who grew up in Easterhouse. “Because they know that what we’re doing here will work. It will get people out voting Yes, and then we can start actually going about making a special society here in Scotland.”

Capitalising (using the word in its least cynical sense) on the emotions of those who have fared worst out of three decades of neoliberalism is a key part of the group’s tactics. Nicky Patterson is a veteran campaigner with the Green Party. As people set out in small groups toward the sprawling estate, he tutored the less experienced canvassers: “You want to articulate that Westminster isn’t working for us, it’s not working for working-class people.” He talked of these doorstep pitches as a “journey”, facts being less important than leading potential voters through the narrative: to appreciating the failings of the current system of government — privatisation, job scarcity, cuts to welfare, the failed economy — and to seeing independence as a solution.

The persuasiveness of this argument prompted many first-time activists to come along. A 20-something barmaid had been planning on voting No, but changed her mind after discovering that 1,200 sick people had died when the (Westminster) government had them declared fit to work and revoked their social security. “I kind of felt that I’ve got blood on my hands if I stay in a union that is basically saying that that’s OK, to treat the sick that way. It used to be that the working class were the people that got

“C

hristianity” is often used to manipulate, control, shame, judge, and hurt others. It’s influenced by politics, popularity, wealth, success, pride, hate, fear, selfishness, and a desire for power. The poisoning of our beliefs — or theology — happens subtly, under the pretense of tradition, teaching, education, discipline, authority, respect, and religion.

We often treat theology similar to politics, where our beliefs and doctrines are based on which ones benefit us the most. We strive to get everything we can from our faith, and this can lead to spiritual narcissism, where we become obsessed with maximizing the benefits for ourselves while withholding them from others. Rarely do we adhere to — or agree with — theological ideas that benefit someone else more than us. Sacrificing our own comforts for the sake of others is absurd — which leads to a sense of divine favoritism.

In fact, evangelicals often bristle at the notion of a theology that helps others beyond their own inner circle. Christians prefer beliefs that exclusively profit them.

Additionally, the rest of humanity is often the subject of God’s wrath — seemingly condemned to destruction.

To explain God’s attributes of justice and judgment, Christians often allocate these traits upon the “sinners” — those who don’t share their same belief systems, traditions, and theology. Thus, these “outsiders” are blamed, persecuted, and judged for the sake of fulfilling

In this photo taken on March 15, 2014 a man carries a placard during a pro-independence march in Edinburgh, Scotland for the upcoming vote on Scotland's independence from the United Kingdom. (AP Photo/Jill Lawless)

persecuted, but now it’s the poor, it’s the sick, it’s the elderly, the infirm. Everyone’s getting it from all angles. I want better for my country.”

In Easterhouse’s rows of shoebox houses, tourist Scotland is soon forgotten. This is concrete Scotland.

Easterhouse is among the most deprived 5% of areas in the UK, with the lowest life expectancy, just 71. RIC believes that a Yes vote will be secured by marshalling support in these working-class neighbourhoods. “If we can get people involved from areas like this, which suffer high deprivation, high unemployment,” says McLaughlan, “if we can get these people not only out voting, but voting Yes, this is where the game-changer lies.”

‘People are going to vote’ These neighbourhoods are being targeted with good reason. Polling by the TNS-BMRB group shows that 13% more people in the manual and unskilled DE socio-economic group are planning on voting Yes than in the affluent AB group. Yet RIC fears that low voter registration may prove an obstacle — and getting people to the ballot box is a key objective.

But while Curtice accepts that registration tends to be low among people with high unemployment, he qualifies it: “The thing to say about this referendum is people are going to vote. It’s getting very, very high levels of interest and there’s no problem with mobilisation in any section of Scottish society.”

The polls resolutely show Scotland leaning towards a No vote. A YouGov survey in February showed 35% in favour of and 53% against independence.

If successful, could RIC’s tactic of mobilising the working class be sufficient to turn the tables? Not on its own, according to Curtice: “It’s true that people who are in routine occupations or live in places which are relatively socially deprived are somewhat more likely to say they’re going to vote Yes in the referendum, so certainly it’s a target group for the Yes side ... But they’re not going to win the referendum on the basis of that section of the population alone.

It’s sheer statistics: there aren’t enough of them.”

Still, spirits were high among the team when they asked residents on Drumlanrig Avenue to rate their enthusiasm for independence on a scale of one to 10.

A few residents didn’t want to be disturbed but most had clearly considered the issues. Their responses confirmed the suspicion that the decision will ultimately be decided by economics. The first house was a Yes — despite concerns over what currency an independent Scotland might use. The second was a No — put off by the fear that North Sea oil, the wealth so many SNP promises rely upon, will soon run out. A middle-aged man from the third said he used to be a member of the SNP. He was a firm Yes — but worried about Salmond’s immigration policy: “He gets the jobs first, that’s fine. Then you bring the folk over.”

‘They promise the world’ Another woman claimed Salmond had visited her house on a previous canvassing expedition: “He was just like all politicians and members of all parties. They promise the world, they say we’ll do this

and we’ll do that, we’ll do the next thing. And it never materialises.” She still favoured independence, but “it will never happen.”

The final result of RIC’s on-the-spot polling showed a tendency for deprived areas to be more in favour — 50% backing independence, 16% against and 34% not yet decided.

The final house revealed one of the most significant threats the independence campaign faces — Scotland’s historic loyalty to the pro-union Labour Party. A couple answered the door and Patterson asked whether they would be voting in the referendum. The man firmly said he wouldn’t be voting for independence, but wouldn’t be drawn on why he was opposed. “What he’s not telling you is, I’m a Labour councillor,” the woman said, before introducing herself as Maureen Burke. Enjoying the chance to grill a politician, Patterson suggested it was close-minded to oppose independence without offering a reason. “All we need is a Labour government,” said Burke. “You can be close-minded if you’ve made up your mind.

You’ve made up your mind. Where do you stay? I’ll come and try and convert you onto our side.”

Labour was until recently a monolithic political force across much of Scotland — the old joke was that a monkey with a red rosette would secure a comfortable majority in Glasgow. While Labour’s grip has slipped, being pushed into opposition in 2011, tribal loyalties run deep. In the 2012 council elections, Labour candidates gained 64% of first-preference votes in this ward, as opposed to the SNP’s 30%. It is often said that — besides independence — little distinction can be drawn between the rivals. The Labour Party’s vocal support for staying in the UK, based partly on the fear that its representation in Westminster would be irrevocably damaged by independence, alleviates some of the discomfort Scottish social democrats might feel supporting a union advocated by the Conservative Party in London.

Much of the pro-independence movement’s rhetoric is aimed at breaking down this loyalty: “There’s only one false dream, and that is that voting No, and then voting Labour is going to change anything,” says Shafi. “Both of those things are not going to change anything. All that’s going to happen is we’ll continue on the same downward trajectory, economically and politically.”

But Curtice highlights a more pressing concern for the independence movement, even more worrying for a branch of that movement that identifies itself as radical left: “It’s not entirely clear that people think an independent Scotland will be a more equal society, that it makes much difference to whether they’re going to vote Yes or No, or indeed not a great deal of evidence that Scotland is wildly more leftwing than England. It’s one of those things that many people in Scotland like to believe about their country. But actually the evidence for the proposition is much weaker than they often realise.”

As far as McLaughlan is concerned, whether Scotland is ready for the revolution or not, becomes an independent country or remains part of the union, RIC will endure. “We’re not going to get to 19 September and disappear. We’re here for the long run.”

For the Love of God, Love Others stephen mattson Sojourners our own self-righteousness. Christians frequently assume that they know Godbest — even when they don’t.

Historically, Christians have embraced war, violence, racism, sexism, and other forms of inequality and injustice for the sole purpose of preserving and promoting their own agendas.

This sinful behavior is rationalized by claiming that God condones such things. Therefore, misdeeds are explained away as God commanding — or allowing — violence, persecution, discrimination, and other bad things as a source of holy justice and judgment. It's excused as being “part of God’s sovereign plan.” As long as we're safe and comfortable and get what we want, our theology remains unchanged. There's something very worrisome about how many people are vigorously condemned under the pretense of “Christianity.”

Contrarily, Christians often bristle at the very idea of God showing mercy

and grace to others — even to themselves. But as soon as they’re attacked and perceived as the victim — everything changes. When we make mistakes, commit horrible crimes, and participate in evil sins, we’re quick to promote the all-consuming grace and limitless love of God — to save ourselves. It's no wonder the gospel message is often perceived as hypocritical.

As we try to follow Jesus and grow in our Christian faith, it's time we honestly evaluate the motivations behind our faith. How do our culture, upbringing, experiences, desires, and hundreds of other factors influence our beliefs about God? Are we ultimately motivated by the love of Jesus?

The radical thing about Jesus's message is that it benefitted others while at the same time demanded personal sacrifice.

This is just as ridiculously counter-cultural today as it was back in biblical times.

Jesus was the sacrifice. He passionately served, worked, helped, and loved

wRiTE-wiNg

others at his own expense. The gospel message isn’t just about how to get the most for us, but it’s about essentially giving our best to others — for the sake of God. But when it comes to theology and doctrines, we twist scripture to accommodate our beliefs and use verses to prop up our own ideals — routinely putting ourselves on the pedestal at the expense of those God has called us to love.

How do we treat our neighbors? Do we honestly believe that they’re created in the image of God? Admitting that God's grace, mercy, comfort, and love reaches beyond our personal desires requires humility and spiritual maturity.

The Bible routinely warns against judging others — this responsibility is supposed to be left up to God. Why? Because we’re all sinners and blinded by our shortcomings. Ironically, those who assumed to understand God the most within scripture — the Pharisees and other religious leaders — often were the most wrong about God. This should be a warning to us all.

Loving others doesn’t mean that absolute truth doesn’t exist or that we simply turn a blind eye to sin. It means that we care for others as we’d care for ourselves.

Does our gospel message portray acceptance or exclusion, forgiveness or judgment, hope or fear, joy or sadness, freedom or guilt, love or hate? Is the tone of our communication — our lives — exhibiting Jesus? God helps us.

Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender.

Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

7

TuEsday

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

8 April 2014

T

he ongoing tyranny of the Israeli occupation has been devastating to the Palestinian community’s wellbeing. One of its most debilitating effects is the internalisation of oppression and the undermining of Palestinians’ collective self-image.

Since the free and fair 2006 elections in Palestine—followed by Israel’s arrest of elected parliamentarians and an international boycott of the elected government—I have observed that the vigorous spirit of the Palestinian community that evolved during long years of resistance has finally been reduced to a state of demoralisation.

The undermining of that election represented an additional bitter blow, following as it did on the more subtle impact of the Oslo accords, originally promoted as a step on the road to Palestinian liberation. Reports published on the twentieth anniversary of the accords, however, revealed that during those two decades the number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank had doubled and the area controlled by settlements had expanded to 42 percent of Palestinian land. Israel’s systematic restrictions on Palestinian movement and trade continues to divide Palestinian families and decimate the economy. The infamous collaboration between Palestinian and Israeli security forces has further secured for Israelis a profitable tourism trade through bed and breakfast hotels overlooking the magnificent hills of the West Bank; a dismantled Palestinian resistance; and more Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons.

Over years of occupation, young Palestinians have seen their fathers dragged from homes by Israeli soldiers, humiliated at checkpoints, and rendered unable to provide for their families’ safety and basic needs. In reaction to their feelings of shame, such vulnerable children came to identify with the oppressor, with a selfloathing which some expressed by oppressing weaker members of their own community. So I have been told by one Palestinian Jerusalemite, “On holidays I don’t go to Eilat because it will be full of Arabs!”

Some Palestinians shop for their clothing in Israeli boutiques, have their hair done in Israeli salons, and listen to loud Hebrew music on their car radios. More than one Palestinian patient suffering a relapse of manic illness has spoken to me in Hebrew as an expression of grandiosity. Meanwhile, the dismal lack of job opportunities and the miserable conditions in the West Bank have made many labourers eager to work for Israelis, even if they must work in settlements or participate in projects such as building the apartheid wall.

Their Israeli employers often treat them as sub-human. A few months ago Ahsan Abu-Srur, a 54-year-old unauthorised Palestinian construction worker from Askar refugee camp, was seriously injured while doing renovation work in Tel Aviv. Realising that he was critically injured, the Israeli contractor and two of his workers dragged the man to the sidewalk across the street from the workplace and left him there to die.

Oppression makes people selfish and greedy, prone to infighting and competition over scarce resources—the scraps of opportunities left over from the oppressor. Oppressed people easily become resentful and envious of one another, creating an atmosphere of mutual distrust.

This is a vicious cycle. Treated as inferior—and in the absence of resistance, resilience and self-defense— we internalise belief in our own inferiority. We come to assume that we indeed are less capable and less worthy than others. Palestinians begin to distrust and devalue our own educational and medical systems. Other manifestations of our internalised oppression include a spiteful oppression of women, contempt toward people of a lower socioeconomic class, and an exclusionary and intolerant attitude towards political opposition.

NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE

Internalised Oppression samah Jabr

Nowadays, there is such a widespread, corrupt system of influence and cronyism in Palestine that most people are government employees. As a result, our agriculture is suffering, small independent businesses are crushed, and only a small minority of enterprises, closely allied to the government, are able to flourish.

Young people are trapped in a cycle of consumerism, with new apartments, cars and big loans from banks resulting in a lifetime of debt. The result is decreased social interaction and productivity, along with rising rates of crime and addiction.

Community leaders and politicians fail to take any steps to breaking this vicious cycle. Rather than restoring our national dignity and pride by promoting instead resilience, productivity, authenticity and steadfastness, recall the submissive words of President Mahmoud Abbas following the western boycott of the 2006 election results: “If we have to choose between bread and democracy, we choose bread.”

Our officials have assumed the role of the oppressor, condemning spontaneous Palestinian reactions to Israeli violations and promoting meek submission to Israeli oppression. They cast the Palestinian people in the roles of suspect and offender. Such attitudes only feed into the occupier’s spin on reality, casting us as us evil perpetrators while the occupier claims the role of victim.

The submissiveness urged on us by our leaders goes beyond condemning armed resistance to include the trivialising of such nonviolent measures as the imposition of boycotts and the use of international law to hold Israel accountable for its actions—as illustrated by the official Palestinian position on the Goldstone report on Israel’s war crimes in Gaza.

We should not be deceived by the exaggerated festivities surrounding the UN General Assembly’s change of Palestine's status as “entity” to that of “non-member observer state.” The change in status was just a smokescreen to distract us from the revolutions taking place within the Arab world.

We may have added the words “State of Palestine” to our postage stamps, but we have yet to take a single war criminal to The Hague or pursue our legal right to our own land, waters or airspace—as any sovereign state recognised by the UN surely would. Instead, “secretive” negotiations continue behind closed doors, while Israel continues to approve the construction of more settlement homes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and the demolition of ever more Palestinian homes.

Internalised oppression is driven by several engines, the first of which is the media. Anger and dissatisfaction create the momentum for social change, but a superficial leisure and entertainment industry will blind and distract a frustrated public from the reality around them, creating a false consciousness. Local media bombardment dulls our critical faculties and weakens our ability to protest, resist or revolt.

A good example is Mohammad Assaf, the Palestinian who won last year’s “Arab Idol” competition—a charming, sincere young man with a beautiful voice. But the media promoted his triumph as symbolising “the Palestin-

News Review K. Filip sumi

O

PERSPECTIVE

Taxation woes

n March 17, an ‘azha’ issued by NSCN (IM) Yaruiwo concerning ‘tax collection and loan’ was published in the local dailies. The standing order stated that “unauthorised” and independent collection of the government tax and loan by individual national workers would not be entertained and seriously viewed by the government. The order comes at a high time when unabated taxation and other forms of corruption at Naga national government level and State government level have been consuming a lot of space in the newspapers and other social fora. The movement has been gaining momentum under the initiative of Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT). From the order, it could be understood that the NSCN (IM) would continue to collect tax provided it is authorised by its government (GPRN). But what the public, through ACAUT, has been reiterating repeatedly is to give tax to only one government in line with its slogan, ‘One Government, One Tax.’ The public demand is not about doing away with “unauthorised” taxation. In fact, the demand is to do away with all such authorised taxation by various Naga political groups and come down to only one authorised tax under one government. What the various Naga national governments see it as legitimate and authorised tax with approval and proper written orders from different ministries and departments, the public see it as “unabated” authorised taxation. That is why the demand for one government, one tax. GPRN/NSCN president, ‘Gen’ (Retd) Khole Konyak in his address to the Tatar Hoho cum Budget Session in March stressed on the policy of ‘minimal taxation.’ Well, minimal taxation is a pleasant phrase but Naga people are not demanding any pleasantries on taxation but just one tax to one government. On March 25 and April 1, the Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) publicised in the press about NSCN (K) and NSCN (IM) respectively agreeing to abstain from collecting yearly tax from the traders registered under KCCI till such time market financial status improves.

Regardless of whether the agreement would be implemented in totality, this brings to question the GPRN/NSCN, NNC/FGN and other Naga groups as to why it cannot follow suit. This also brings another question as to why Kohima alone has been given that special treatment of absolving yearly tax for some time. The remaining districts are also equally craving for such gesture from the Naga political groups.

Heavily burdened citizens in Dimapur where ACAUT movement first started needs more relief than any other district. But because Dimapur is revenue-rich for all, perhaps it would cause discomfiture for the Naga national groups to make a similar call. ACAUT is fighting against corruption and unabated taxation not only with regard to the Naga groups but the state government too. However, for the moment, ACAUT appears too occupied with taxation affairs of the Naga groups while corruption and taxation at the state government level continues unabated. As mentioned by ACAUT, it must be noted that there are some places like Tuensang where the government taxation is heavier than Naga political groups. It is understood that ACAUT’s One Government One Tax slogan refers to the public’s will to give tax to only one Naga national government for which practical unity of all groups coming under one umbrella is necessary. Even if all the Naga national groups come together under one umbrella, it would still be required for the public to continue giving tax to the state government until such time the Naga issue is resolved. In such a scenario, the public would still be taxed by two governments – state government and unified Naga national government – two governments, two taxes. One wonders if the ACAUT would consider its objective being fulfilled once the Naga groups come under one umbrella facilitating the public to pay only one tax to one Naga national government. Despite that achievement, it has to be known that the public would still have to pay another tax to the state government. Since its initial stages, ACAUT has been saying that its target encompasses both the state government and Naga national groups, and with that statement ACAUT has been proclaiming the slogan; One Government, One Tax. Since ACAUT’s role is limited only to the taxation and corruption affairs, the slogan One Government, One Tax can be practically realized only when the Naga issue is resolved between the Government of India and the Naga people. Before that, multiple governments, multiple taxes shall remain or the least taxation could be, two governments, two taxes.

This column appears on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. www.fnewsreview.wordpress.com

ian plight,” encouraging the public to become consumers of a simplistic, reductionist and deceptive exploitation of his charm. One might ask why the local media has failed to make an equal effort to mobilise against Israel’s siege on Gaza, the Prawer plan, or on behalf of transparency regarding the ongoing negotiations—matters which directly affect most Palestinians and their plight!

A seeming paradox International donations are the second engine behind internalised oppression. On the face of it, it seems paradoxical that oppression can result from such efforts to do good. However, in her study “Promoting Democracy in Palestine: Donation and the Democratisation of the West Bank and Gaza,” Dr. Leila Farsakh concludes that international aid projects serve to promote the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority rather than empowering the Palestinian public to challenge the PA’s dominance or critique its definition of the national liberation project.

Donor-driven projects fail to devote sufficient attention to such important institutions central to democracy as parliament, political parties, and the electoral process.

In the end, these projects tend to entrench the occupation rather than help Palestinians create the conditions for national liberation; rather than strengthening independent channels they tend instead to intensify the Authority’s grip.

The third engine is education and institutionalised religion. This year, five Palestinian schools in East Jerusalem replaced their Palestinian curriculum with the Israeli one. The Jerusalem municipality went on to award the administration of these five schools by increasing their principals’ salaries and paying them 2000 NIS for every student registered at their schools.

A mere glance at the Israeli curriculum reveals how it distorts history, religion, geography and eventually the mindset and the national culture of its pupils. In one textbook, two young people discuss how Israel brought electricity to their village and granted national insurance to children and their elders, and conclude that they should join the celebration of “Israel’s Independence Day.” And while some of our children are being fed this dose of Israeli indoctrination, others are anaesthetised by some misleading religious leaders who form an unholy alliance with political and financial power elites. The “teachings” of these leaders promote a fatalistic, mystical frame of mind, and the “fatwas” they issue promote compliance and conformity. By encouraging people to pin their hopes on the afterlife rather than dealing with the misery of the here and now, these religious figures promote the status quo, with all its agony and injustice, and inhibit people from embracing genuine reform and social change.

In the face of such inadequate leadership, which must result in internalised oppression, it becomes the social responsibility of ordinary people to work actively to recognise and alleviate this threat to our wellbeing, in order to prevent the demise of the Palestinian spirit and cause.

Bearing witness, calling for empowering economic development, resisting consumerism, connecting Palestinians with our own history and community, and thereby helping to analyse reality—these are just a few tools that can help liberate Palestinians from internalised oppression.

So much has been done to efface, harm and eradicate the Palestinian nation, or to disfigure it forever. We cannot simply wait for justice to happen—justice is something we must work hard to realise. Sacrifices must be made and risks taken at times. Commitment, awareness, wisdom and planning are required for the recovery and salvation of this injured life—as we want a decent life, not just any life. Our work for healing and recovery cannot be separated from our work for liberation.

a century in measuring social progress amit Kapoor

G

iANS

ross domestic product (GDP) has dominated as a measure of national performance over the large part of past 100 years. But an intellectual debate has also raged over finding a better and more representative measure of assessing progress. Interestingly, the debate itself was initiated

by Simon Kuznets, the architect of GDP and a Noble laureate: "The welfare of a nation can scarcely be inferred from a measurement of national income as defined by the GDP." The limitation of the GDP as a measure was that it did not measure or reflect upon the disparity that exists, available access to basic amenities & utilities, wellbeing of its citizens and the prejudices that could exist within the society.

Overcoming these limitations, a new index measuring outcomes of social progress titled Social Progress Index has been developed by Michael Porter of Harvard University, Scott Stern of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Michael Greene of Social Progress Imperative.

The index makes measuring social and environment performance integral to national performance measurement, moving beyond and complementing the traditional measure of GDP and GDP per capita. The underlying idea for the index is that it would provide economists unique ways to look at progress, help policy makers make better policy choices.

The index is methodologically superior to many similar initiatives in the past like the Human Development Index, OECD Better Life Index, Happy Planet Index etc. and looks at 54 indicators that get bracketed into basic human needs, foundations of wellbeing and opportunity.

The social progress index, in its inaugural avatar, looks at 132 countries across the world wherein they rank and bracket them into tiers. The most interesting aspect that gets ascertained or depicted through the index is that a definitive relationship exists between economic growth and well being. However, economic growth and performance alone does not fully explain social progress.

In light of this, it becomes interesting to see the state of affairs in India wherein we have been brow-beating our prog-

ress and growth over the last two decades.

Shockingly (I would rather presume that a lot of us knew this though wouldn’t want to discuss) India gets ranked at 102 on the index and lower then its neighbors Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

To put things in better perspective, one should mention that India is the worst performing of the BRICS as well wherein Brazil is ranked 46, South Africa at 69, Russia at 80 and China at 90. The only saving graces as per our febrile imagination could be that Pakistan is ranked 124.

This is where we need to sit back and appreciate that if the ranking of Pakistan and its state of affairs is any indication, than we are probably staring at a social disaster that is just looming at the horizon.

If we dig deeper into the index we would find that India remarkably lacks in shelter, tolerance and inclusion relative to a peer group of 15 countries with similar GDP per capita.

Going beyond the peer group, we find that India performs dismally under various parameters as political terror (One would presume the terror bureaucracy unleashes on its citizens), sanitation facilities, water withdrawals, modern slavery, religious tolerance, community safety net and inequality in the attainment of education.

The insights from the index gives a picture of stark and a dismal reality we in India face and clearly compel us to think that we as a nation are really in immediate need of getting our act together or an upheaval awaits us that could be disastrous for the largest democracies in the world.

To ascertain what ails India, a deeper look at the level of states (provinces) would be required. As the report suggests, economic progress is not equally distributed within countries and neither is social progress.

The index would be extended to the sub-national level over a period of time wherein the Institute for Competitiveness (India) plans to work on the same and get insights and see whether provinces with better performance in economic progress are those that have achieved higher levels of social progress. One would rather suspect that this would be true, though this might as well be construed as a political statement supporting a certain model of growth on the day of the elections.

“Arena of Mind” portrays a space for idea germination, a field where ideas from multi-disciplinary viewpoints fertilize the world of intelligence. The writers aspire to envision a new future by exploring the mind, discovering new seeds of insights and unleashing them to enlightenment.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: INDIA LAGGING BEHIND

A

s we all know Science will continue to surprise us with what it discovers and creates. At the core of science's self-modification is technology. New tools enable new structures of knowledge and new ways of discovery. The achievement of science is to know new things; the evolution of science is to know them in new ways. Science is the process of changing how we know things. It is the foundation of our culture and society. While civilizations come and go, science grows steadily onward. Scientific and technological innovation can survive only when there is an effective delivery mechanism that can keep the wheels turning.

Science is the key of creation of knowledge. The creation of knowledge is the process of inventive activity.

It is usually the result of explicit research and developmental effort normally carried out by scientists and engineers. The key institutions involved in the creation of knowledge are public Research and Development (R&D) laboratories, universities, and private R&D centers. However, not all creation of knowledge is the result of formal R&D effort. Sometimes inventions come from the experience of production, or through informal trial and error; sometimes they come from serendipitous insight. Notably, the multiple origination of knowledge raises a measurement problem because not all R&D activity results in an invention, and not all inventions come from formal R&D activity. Nonetheless, various proxies are available to track knowledge, R&D effort, and their interconnections.

The progress of science and technology in India has been quite significant. Many new methods, products and better quality goods have been developed in the country. India has made rapid progress in the frontier areas of science and technology like space research and atomic energy. At present the country has a strong base in modern technology. It also has the third largest scientific and technical manpower in the world. At the same time there have been some serious shortcomings in this progress. For instance, in basic products like textiles and steel, India has been importing foreign technologies. Continuous import of foreign technology shows lack of ability to create new technology to suit our needs and this creates dependence on other countries. Excessive reliance on foreign technology is also visible in the important areas of defence, where the latest weapons are often imported from other countries. Apart from this weakness in creating new technology, India has also lagged behind in developing technology to meet the needs of the poor. In the area of housing for instance, India is yet to develop low-cost technology to meet the needs of the poor who do not have houses. Advances in the fields of nuclear and space research are praiseworthy but these have not helped the poor people so far. We may say that the progress of modern science and technology have not, as yet, benefited the people of India equally.

India is ‘lagging behind’ developed and newly industrialized economies in the field of science and technology due to ‘comparatively low’ investment in research and development and inadequate research and development of manpower. In India, R&D investments as percentage of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and R&D manpower per million populations is comparatively low. However, according to Indian science and technology report, India is lagging in science and technology compared to other developed countries. India has only 140 researchers per million populations, compared to 4,651 in the United States. India invested US$ 3.7 billion in science and technology in 2002-2003. For comparison, China invested about four times more than India, while the United States invested approximately 75 times more than India in Science and Technology. India accounts for about 10% of all expenditure on research and development in Asia and the number of scientific publications grew by 45% over the past five years. Between 2004 and 2014, Indian gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) to GDP either stagnated at 0.9 percent or even relatively declined adjusted to inflation.

China, another highly populated Asian nation that has achieved considerable economic growth recently, is racing ahead. In 2002-2003, its researchers published 50,000 papers in journals listed by the index, compared to 19,500 by Indian scientists. Of course India’s science and technology has, last year, brought out a “Science, Technology and Innovation” policy aimed at accelerating the pace of discovery and delivery of science-led solutions for faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth. India's scientific competitiveness, as measured by the number of publications in research journals listed by the Science Citation Index, is not proportional to its inherent strength in science. Indian science and technology is not only suffering from lack of funds but also from unethical practices, the urge to make illegal money, misuse of power, frivolous promotion policies, victimization for speaking against wrong or corrupt practices in the management.

Having said thus far, to promote Indian science and technology further, there should be increase in investment in the education of this area or other different research areas, including higher education in general.

In all such efforts, it is important that the private sector contributes significantly. Increasing in private sector investment in R&D and its partnership with public sector in translational research is crucial. Establishment of world-class infrastructure for R&D in some selected areas would be a big boost. And also making careers in science, research and innovation attractive enough for talented and bright minds would cost dear. Lastly, creating an environment for enhanced private sector participation in R&D, technology and innovation is vital. Then we can draw back India’s best and brightest experts who are living in US and other European countries to India with the promise of world-class research infrastructure and adequate funding. The day is not far when India will no more be lagging behind.

Sanjib Katuwal Assistant Professor Dept. of Science (Chemistry) St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama

8

Dimapur

NATIONAL

Tuesday 8 April 2014

The Morung Express

BJP unveils ‘muscular’ election manifesto

NEW DElhi, April 7 (rEuTErs): Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), widely tipped to form the next government, pledged on Monday to revise the India’s nuclear doctrine, whose central principle is that New Delhi would not be the first to use atomic weapons in a conflict.

Unveiling its election manifesto, the party gave no details, but sources involved in drafting the document said the “no-firstuse” policy introduced after India conducted a series of nuclear tests in 1998 would be reconsidered.

Arch-rival Pakistan, which responded within weeks that year by conducting tests of its own, does not profess “no first use”.

The BJP, which ordered the tests in 1998, said it would seek friendly relations with neighbours, but - without naming any country - vowed to “deal with cross-border terrorism with a firm hand” and take a “strong stand and steps” when required.

Opinion polls have said the BJP will emerge as the single biggest party in the five-week election that began on Monday, but may fall short of the majority required to rule. A BJPled National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government is the most likely outcome, they have said.

Setting out its Hindu

BJP manifesto comes under attack for ‘Hindutva agenda’

India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, right, party president Rajnath Singh, center, and senior leader Lal Krishna Advani release the party manifesto in New Delhi, on Monday, April 7. India started the world’s largest election Monday where the country’s 814 million electorate will vote in stages over the next five weeks - a staggered approach made necessary by India’s vast size - to choose representatives to its 543-seat lower house of parliament. (AP Photo)

nationalist leanings, the party vowed to explore building a Ram temple at the site of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh that was torn down by zealots 22 years ago, potentially putting a deeply controversial issue back into play.

“There’s a religious right in the BJP so they want to acknowledge that without making it the centerpiece of the manifesto,”

said Ashok Malik, a political columnist. “I don’t think the BJP is going to take it forward as a political movement.”

The party made a commitment to withdrawing a special autonomous status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim-majority region, which many in the BJP believe prolongs ambiguity over the status of a territory claimed by Pakistan. It add-

ed that it would aim for the return of Hindus who left Kashmir when the region was roiled by insurgency.

REJECTS FOREIGN RETAILERS The BJP accused the left-leaning Congress, which has led the country’s ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition for the past decade, of “weak and spineless” leadership.

“Instead of creating a

socio-economic and political paradigm of governance drawn from the civilisational consciousness of India, the leaders tried to follow whatever was being practiced in this or that Western country,” it said.

It said it would link welfare programmes introduced by the Congress to asset creation, and would review the country’s strong labour laws. It said it would encourage foreign direct

NEW DElhi, April 7 (pTi): Political parties on Monday slammed BJP’s manifesto especially over inclusion of Ram temple and other ‘Hindutva’ issues, saying it was only aimed at hoodwinking voters.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh accused BJP of exploiting religion for political gains. Pointing to a recent sting on the Ram Mandir agitation, he said many VHP leaders were heard saying that the death of some Hindus was required to infuse a new life into the movement. “They spoke about religion and have exploited it politically,” the Congress general secretary said.

Left parties also came down heavily on BJP for the mention of Ram Temple issue in its manifesto, saying it is intended to “consolidate” Hindu votes. Observing that BJP has reiterated its “hardcore Hindutva agenda” by highlighting issues like the Ram Temple, abrogation of Article 370 and a uniform civil code, senior CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said “this is its real agenda”. Terming the manifesto as mere sloganeering, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said people have witnessed in the past that issues like Common Civil Code, Ram investment, but made clear it was not in favour of opening the retail sector to foreign supermarket brands such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Tesco Plc. “It is unfortunate and a massively regressive decision,” said a senior official at Trent (TREN.NS: Quote, Profile, Research), the local partner of Tesco, the only foreign retailer to have committed to setting up a chain of stores in

India. “It is difficult to understand what happens next, just now, because we need some clarity on what they are saying. Whether they will scrap the policy or whether they will just not allow anyone new to apply,” he said.

The BJP opposes foreign investment in the retail sector to protect small businesses and traders, many of whom are its supporters. However, a party

Put me in jail, will not remove any official: Mamata

KolKATA, April 7 (iANs): Lashing out at the Election Commission after it transferred eight West Bengal officials, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday refused to carry out the orders and said she was even prepared to go to jail.

Challenging the commission, Banerjee said: “Put me in jail. I will not remove a single officer as chief minister. You rule and remove.” A fuming Banerjee termed the commission’s decision as a conspiracy hatched by the central government, the poll panel, the Congress, the BJP and the CPI-M as also a media group.

She said it was aimed at facilitating rigging in the election by the opposition parties. “Either you have to accept my resignation or I will not obey you.

I respect you, but not by bowing down,” she told an election meeting at Pandua in Hooghly district.

“I will fight it alone. I don’t care for your conspiracy. Don’t blame Mamata Banerjee for any trouble. Either Mamata Banerjee will look after law and order, or the Election Commission.

You control law and order. I have no objection. I can’t take responsibility.”

“I have been elected by the people. I have not been elected at the mercy of the Congress, or you. I challenge the Election Commission, which I have never done in my life,” she said. The poll panel Monday ordered the transfer of five police superintendents, one district magistrate and two additional district mag-

istrates from their posts.

The commission’s order, which came a day after the full bench of the poll panel held wide consultations with state officials and political parties, was sent to state Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra during the day.

Five police superintendents in charge of West Midnapore, Bardhman, Birbhum, Malda and North 24 Parganas districts - were involved in the reshuffle along with the district magistrate of North 24 Parganas. Two additional district magistrates were also relieved of poll duty.

The commission asked the state government to implement the orders by Tuesday and said the transferred officials have to be kept away from Lok Sabha poll related duty.

new phase of positive engagement in the last five years when Awami League (AL) and India’s Congress Party, which enjoyed historical relations with the AL since 1971 when Bangladesh was born, ruled their respective countries. The envoy said the relationship between the two neighbouring countries would remain strong after May 17 when India has a new government.

He said every country has interests and “those interests really don’t change”. “We are not going to roll back the power lines,” Saran said. “We are not going to shutdown Maitree Express (only railway service between India and Bangladesh).” “These are initiatives that have been put on the ground and they are the new reality,” he said.

source said it was highly unlikely that the BJP would roll back the legislation introduced by Congress allowing global retail chains to set up in India.

The BJP also promised a massive emphasis on reviving India’s creaking infrastructure with plans to build 100 new cities, a highspeed rail network, and a 10-year-plan to roll out low-cost housing to every Indian family.

17 killed as bus falls into gorge

Exiled Tibetans hold a banner in Dharmsala to demand the release of a Tibetan Buddhist leader Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who has been in a Chinese prison since 2002, during a protest in Dharmsala, on Monday, April 7. Tenzin Delek was allegedly arrested on charges of “inciting separatism” and was given a death sentence by a Chinese court which was later commuted to a life imprisonment. (AP Photo)

‘India will not change Bangladesh policy’ Over Rs. 195 crore cash seized by EC

DhAKA, April 7 (iANs): India’s policy towards Bangladesh would not change even if there is a regime change in New Delhi after the elections, India’s high commissioner in Dhaka has said. Pankaj Saran said relationships between the two neighbours depend “a great deal on mutual interests”. “...Interests don’t really change with the government,” Saran said while delivering a lecture at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). The envoy was replying to a question on whether the relationship with Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League-led government would remain the same if BJP came to power in India, bdnews24.com reported Monday.

Bangladesh-India relations entered a

Mandir and Article 370 are “handles” for BJP to come to power.

Similar views were echoed by Farooq Abdullah who said BJP was trying to fool people of this country by “selling dreams”.

Omar reminded that this is not the first time that issues like Article 370, Ram temple and Common Civil Code have been raised. “Please tell me when did they actually address these issues when they were in power. What was the development done by them on these issues,” he said, adding, “This is purely an effort to hoodwink the voters of this country.”

Naresh Agarwal of Samajwadi Party said the manifesto was only a showpiece and BJP was interested in grabbing power by any means. “Their manifesto is eating... and cheating. It is about grabbing power, doing the politics over dead bodies...,” he said.

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi questioned how BJP will fulfil its promise of building a house for every family and reaching drinking water to all villages.

“Where from will money come? How long will it take? They should be clear about it,” he said.

NEW DElhi, April 7 (pTi): Over Rs. 195 crore of cash has been seized so far by Election Commission (EC) appointed teams, with Andhra Pradesh topping the list.

According to official data prepared till today, the EC-appointed Election Expenditure Observers have so far seized a total of Rs. 118 crore cash in Andhra Pradesh, Rs. 18.31 crore in Tamil Nadu, Rs. 14.40 in Maharashtra, Rs. 10.46 crore in Uttar Pradesh and over Rs. 4 crore in Punjab including numerous other small seizures in rest of the states.

Also, the total liquor seized stands at 26.56 lakh litres, Heroin 70 kgs while 11,469 FIRs have been registered against distribution of cash and illegal inducements in various states. A senior official, part of the EC-appointed team, said the 659-officer strong surveillance teams drawn from IRS and other central services have been deputed to all the Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies and they are reporting cash seizure instances since the polls were declared on March 5.

The Commission, as part of

its measures to curb black money and illegal funds in the polls, has deployed the ‘expenditure observers’ drawn from central revenue services like the Income Tax and Customs and Excise departments.

The EC, in order to keep a track of huge cash during the polls, has also asked the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), both agencies under the Union Finance Ministry, to keep a strict eye through their intelligence and investigative tools during the poll period.

shimlA, April 7 (iANs): At least 17 people were killed Monday when their overloaded mini-bus rolled down a 400feet deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, officials said. Nearly 20 others were injured in the accident that took place at Milla near Shillai in Paonta Sahib subdivision, about 110 km from Shimla, as the bus was on its way from Milla village to Paonta Sahib.

Superintendent of Police Sumedha Dwivedi told IANS over phone that all the bodies have been recovered, most of them badly mutilated, from the wreckage of the bus. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained but the survivors said one of the front wheels of the bus came out.

Police said the driver and conductor of the bus fled after the accident. Transport Minister G.S Bali ordered a committee headed by the sub-divisional magistrate of Paonta Sahib to look into the reasons of the accident, besides constituting a technical committee for the same purpose. The committees will submit their reports within 15 days.

Bali said Rs.2.5 lakh each would be given to the next of kin of the deceased.

Official sources said the bad condition of the road was also responsible for the accident. They said the death toll could rise as some of the passengers got grievous injuries.

Witnesses said the administration had a tough time in extricating the victims from the wreckage and local residents had started the rescue operations well before the authorities could reach the spot. Governor Urmila Singh and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh have expressed grief over the deaths in the accident.

Wooing the voter: Anything to catch the eye and the ear

NEW DElhi, April 7 (iANs): It was hard to miss the well-dressed man holding aloft the trademark AAP broom, standing on a road divider in South Delhi. Donning the ‘Main Hoon Aam Aadmi’ cap, the supporter was silently campaigning for the 16-month-old party near Lajpat Nagar.

With the polling date drawing closer, political parties are not leaving any stone unturned to woo the voters. From street plays and musical performances to interactive sessions over a cuppa are some of the unusual, yet impactful, methods they are employing to catch their imagination.

While the AAP is “silently” touching the voter’s emotional chords, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has plastered the city with posters of its prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi screaming out to vote for a “Modi Sarkar”.

Tourists line up to witness festival of democracy AhmEDAbAD, April 7 (pTi): As the poll juggernaut rolls on, tourists from countries like the US, France, Nigeria and UAE have decided to witness the roughand-tumble of polls in the world’s largest democracy, especially the keen contest in the holy city of Varanasi.

Notwithstanding the scorching Indian summer, many foreigners have registered for a USD 1200 six-night, seven-day election tourism package offered by a private tour operator which includes visit to public rallies, poll campaigns, meeting party leaders and Election Commission officers.

However, the NRIs and Gujaratis settled abroad are mainly interested in the contest between BJP’s PM nominee Narendra Modi and AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi. “Inspite of summer, more people have committed to visit India during polls under ‘Election Tourism’ initiative,” said ‘Election Tourism India’s city-based

Though not as visible as its counterparts, the Congress too is promoting its achievements. According to Pankaj Gupta, national secretary, Aam Aadmi

chairman Manish Sharma.

The concept was launched before the 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections and initially only 125 international tourists visited the state. But this time 800 tourists have so far committed to watch the election process unfolding in the largest democracy of the world, he claimed.

“The idea of election tourism which was first conceived by us is going to deliver another influx of tourists in upcoming elections,” Sharma said, adding that besides the 800 confirmed entries more than 2000 entries are expected.

He said inquiries from NRIs and specially NRGs (non-resident Gujaratis) increased after BJP declared it was fielding Modi from Varanasi. “Most of the tourists want to visit the holy city of Varanasi to see its ancient value and to witness the fight between Modi and Kejriwal,” he said, adding that tourists often inquire about Modi and Aam Admi Party.

Party: “It is very easy to recognise our party members and supporters even from a distance because the caps and brooms have become a powerful symbol of our

party and ideology.”

“The broom is the new age ‘gada’ (mace) which the supporters can carry along,” Gupta told IANS. Apart from the age-old favourites

like newspaper and television advertisements and rallies to capture the voters both young and old - the political parties are also using mediums like FM radio, social media, SMSs and even phone calls through which leaders, in recorded messages, ask for the votes.

However, amid this visible clout of expansive campaigning, the BJP is also relying on traditional means like ‘nukkad natak’ (streetcorner plays) and puppet shows.

“What you see on television or read in newspapers is different from what you experience live. In our plays, when the audience sees a man crying because he cannot afford to feed his children, or a woman who is vulnerable to rape, it leaves a lasting impression,” Rajeshwar Nagpal, head of BJP Delhi’s Right to Information cell, explained.

Nagpal added that such activities have a direct impact on the voters and gets

them thinking. “What they see is very much happening in their lives, and hence they can relate to the situation and issues depicted in these plays,” he said, and mentioned that they are highlighting issues like women’s safety, corruption and inflation through these mediums.

The impact of these plays was evident on the psychology of a group of people in north Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh area recently who were watching a play narrating a rickshaw puller’s struggling life. His moving account was a testimony of growing disparity between the rich and the poor, and other issues plaguing the common man.

As expected, the connect was successful to the last voter, and left the audience teary eyed. It is not just parties that are evolving new methods to hook the voters; even candidates are coming out with inno-

vative ideas.

The Congress party’s candidate from the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency and party general secretary, Ajay Maken, is making use of short-flims made using camera phones as part of his campaign strategy. A Congress spokesperson told IANS that party vice president Rahul Gandhi’s meetings with people of varied backgrounds at the grassroots level is also a part of the campaign strategy.

“Rahul Gandhi met rickshaw pullers and auto drivers in Varanasi, tribal women in Ranchi and students in Guwahati. In these meetings, he came across as a keen listener who was more interested in knowing what problems people were facing and how these issues could be addressed in the party manifesto,” the spokesperson explained.

On being asked about the budget allocated for these campaigns, the BJP didn’t

reveal any figures, while AAP said its volunteers plan out the campaign strategy on their own.

“We only have white money and hence don’t have much to invest in newspaper and television campaigns,” Gupta said.

Apart from this, AAP is also connecting with the audience in a musical way, through its “Band of Activists”. The party has found support in a group of young hobby singers who have formed a band and plan to campaign in cities big and small to woo young voters.

The BJP too is promoting “Modi’s development vision” through CDs. “People call their friends and acquaintances who meet at someone’s place and watch a CD that focusses more on solutions and talks about Modiji’s work and his future plans. This is what we are calling ‘Chai pe Charcha’,” a BJP leader explained.

Tuesday

InternatIonal

the Morung express

8 April 2014

Dimapur

9

Rwanda Genocide: Man & victim now friends

NYAMATA, April 7 (Ap): She lost her baby daughter and her right hand to a manic killing spree. He wielded the machete that took both.

Yet today, despite coming from opposite sides of an unspeakable shared past, Alice Mukarurinda and Emmanuel Ndayisaba are friends. She is the treasurer and he the vice president of a group that builds simple brick houses for genocide survivors. They live near each other and shop at the same market.

Their story of ethnic violence, extreme guilt and, to some degree, reconciliation is the story of Rwanda today, 20 years after its Hutu majority killed more than 1 million Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Rwandan government is still accused by human rights groups of holding an iron grip on power, stifling dissent and killing political opponents. But even critics give President Paul Kagame credit for leading the country toward a peace that seemed all but impossible two decades ago.

“Whenever I look at my arm I remember what happened,” said Alice, a mother of five with a deep scar on her left temple where Emanuel sliced her with a machete.

As she speaks, Emmanuel — the man who killed her baby — sits close enough that his left hand and her right stump sometimes touch.

On Monday, Rwanda marks the 20th anniversary of the beginning of 100 days of bloody mayhem. But the genocide was really in the

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 26, 2014, Emmanuel Ndayisaba, right, who during the 1994 Rwandan genocide cut off with a machete the hand of Alice Mukarurinda, left, in the swamp where she was hiding and killed her baby girl, but who are now friends, pose for a photograph outside Alice’s house in Nyamata, Rwanda. (AP Photo

making for decades, fueled by hate speech, discrimination, propaganda and the training of death squads.

Hutus had come to resent Tutsis for their greater wealth and what they saw as oppressive rule.

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in mainland Africa, slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maryland but with a population of more than 12 million. The countryside is lush green, filled with uncountable numbers of banana trees.

The Hutu-Tutsi divide may be the country’s most notorious characteristic

but also its most confounding. The two groups are so closely related that it’s nearly impossible for an outsider to tell which the average Rwandan belongs to. Even Rwandans have trouble knowing who is who, especially after two decades of a government push to create a single Rwandan identity.

For Alice, a Tutsi, the genocide began in 1992, when her family took refuge in a church for a week.

Hutu community leaders began importing machetes. Houses were burned, cars taken.

Hutu leaders created lists of prominent or edu-

cated Tutsis targeted for killing. They also held meetings where they told those in attendance how evil the Tutsis were. Like many of his Hutu neighbors, Emmanuel soaked in the message.

The situation caught fire on April 6, 1994, when the plane carrying Rwanda’s president was shot down. Hutus started killing Tutsis, who ran for their lives and flooded Alice’s village. Three days later, local Hutu leaders told Emmanuel, then 23, that they had a job for him.

They took him to a Tutsi home and ordered him to

Monkey lesson: Eat less to live longer

NEw YOrk, April 7 (iANS): Monkeys on a reduced-calorie diet live longer than those that can eat as much as they want, a fascinating research suggests. The findings add to a thread of studies on how a restricted diet prolongs life in a range of species.

In the study, which has been running since 1989 at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Centre in Madison, 38 rhesus ma-

caques that were allowed to eat whatever they wanted were nearly twice as likely to die at any age than were 38 monkeys whose calorie intakes were cut by 30 percent.

The same study reported in 2009 that calorierestricted monkeys were less likely to die of age-related causes than control monkeys, but had similar overall mortality rates at all ages. “We set out to test the hypothesis - would calo-

rie restriction delay aging?

And I think we’ve shown that it does,” said Rozalyn Anderson, a biochemist at the University of Wisconsin who led the study.

Eating a very low-calorie diet has been shown to prolong the lives of mice, leading to speculation that such a diet triggers a biochemical pathway that promotes survival. But what that pathway might be and whether humans have

it - has been a matter of hot debate. Another 2012 study at the US National Institute on Aging (NIA) in Bethesda, Maryland, cast doubt on the idea, reporting that monkeys on low-calorie diets did not live longer than those that ate more food.

“Are we seeing health benefits? Yes, but I do not know that we are necessarily seeing survival benefits,” said Julie Mattison, a physiologist at the NIA.

Malaysia, Indonesia ban biblical epic ‘Noah’

kUAlA lUMpUr, April 7 (Ap): Malaysia and Indonesia have banned the biblical epic “Noah,” joining other Muslim nations that forbid the Hollywood movie for its visual depiction of the prophet.

Film censors in both countries said Monday that the portrayal of the ark-building prophet by Russell Crowe was against Islamic laws. Depictions of any prophet are shunned in Islam to avoid worship of a person rather than God. “The film ‘Noah’ is not allowed to be screened in this country to protect the sensitivity and harmony in Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious community,” Film Censorship

Board chairman Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid said in a statement.

Malay Muslims make up about 60 percent of Malaysia’s 30 million people, and Christians about 9 percent.

In the world’s most populous Muslim nation, the head of Indonesia’s censor board Muchlis Paeni said the plot of the film directed by Darren Aronofsky contradicted both the Quran and the Bible.

“We have to reject Noah to be screened here,” Paeni said. “We don’t want a film that could provoke controversies and negative reactions.”

The Indonesian Council of Ulama, the country’s most influential Islamic body, welcomed the move, say-

ing films that could corrupt religious teachings should be outlawed. Many Indonesians condemned the ban on social media. “The decision was very regrettable, so sad,” filmmaker Joko Anwar said on Twitter, warning it was a backward step for Indonesia.

Much of the Muslim world, including the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, has already banned the film, which is a box-office hit in the U.S. Some Christian conservatives also have complained of its inaccurate portrayal of the biblical account of the flood. Paramount Pictures added a disclaimer to its marketing material, saying “artistic license has been taken” in telling the story.

use his machete. A Christian who sang in his church choir, Emmanuel had never killed before. But inside this house he murdered 14 people. The next day, April 12, Emmanuel found a Tutsi doctor in hiding and killed him, too. The day after, he killed two women and a child.

“The very first family I killed, I felt bad, but then I got used to it,” he says.

“Given how we were told that the Tutsis were evil, after the first family I just felt like I was killing our enemies.” In the meantime, Alice’s family took refuge in a church, just as they

had done before, crammed in with hundreds of others.

But this time, Hutu attackers threw a bomb inside and set the church on fire.

Those who fled the fire inside died by machetes outside. Alice lost some 26 family members, among the estimated 5,000 victims at the church.

Alice, then 25, escaped with her 9-month-old daughter and a 9-year-old niece into Rwanda’s green countryside, moving, hiding, moving. She hid in a forested swamp. “There were so many bodies all over the place,” she says.

“Hutus would wake up in the morning and go hunting for Tutsis to kill.”

By late April rebel Tutsi fighters led by Kagame had reached the capital and chased Hutus out. Hutu troops began to flee to neighboring countries, and the violence spread, with killings carried out by both sides. On April 29, Emmanuel joined Hutu soldiers searching the countryside for Tutsis. The attackers blew a whistle whenever they found a Tutsi hiding. The murders began at 10 a.m. and lasted until 3 p.m. Alice had been hiding in a swamp for days, keeping out only the top of her face so she could breathe. That was where the Hutus found her.

They surrounded the swamp. Then they attacked. First they killed the girls. When that was done, they came after Alice. She was sure she would die, but instinctively put up her arm to defend herself. Emmanuel, Alice’s school mate, recognized the woman but

couldn’t recall her name.

Perhaps that made it easier to rain down machete blows on Alice’s right arm, severing it just above the wrist. He sliced her face. His colleague pierced a spear through her left shoulder.

They left her for dead. She was bloodied, scarred, and missing a hand, yes, but not dead. Alice fell unconscious, she says, and was found three days later by other survivors. It was only then that she realized she no longer had a right hand.

In the months after the genocide, guilt gnawed away at Emmanuel. He saw his victims during nightmares. In 1996, he turned himself in and confessed.

His prison term lasted from 1997 until 2003, when Kagame pardoned Hutus who admitted their guilt.

After he was freed, he began asking family members of his victims for forgiveness. He joined a group of genocide killers and survivors called Ukurrkuganze, who still meet weekly. It was there that he saw Alice, the woman he thought he had killed.

At first he avoided her.

Eventually he kneeled before her and asked for forgiveness. After two weeks of thought and long discussions with her husband, she said yes. “We had attended workshops and trainings and our hearts were kind of free, and I found it easy to forgive,” she says. “The Bible says you should forgive and you will also be forgiven.”

Josephine Munyeli is the director of peace and reconciliation programs in

Rwanda for World Vision, a U.S.-based aid group. A survivor of the genocide herself, Munyeli says more killers and victims would like to reconcile but many don’t know who they attacked or were attacked by. “Forgiveness is possible. It’s common here,” she says. “Guilt is heavy. When one realizes how heavy it is the first thing they do to recuperate themselves is apologize.”

Although Rwanda has made significant progress since the genocide, ethnic tensions remain. Alice worries that some genocide planners were never caught, and that messages denying the genocide still filter into the country from Hutus living abroad. She believes remembrance is important to ensure that another genocide never happens.

For Emmanuel, the anniversary periods bring back the nightmares. He looks like a man serving penance, who does not want to talk but feels he must. “I’ve been asking myself why I acted like a fool, listening to such words, that this person is bad and that person is bad,” Emmanuel says. “The same people that encouraged the genocide are the ones saying there was no genocide.”

He, too, worries that the embers of the genocide still smolder. “The problem is still there,” Emmanuel says. “There are Hutus who hate me for telling the truth. There are those up until now who participated in the genocide who deny they took part.”

Ukraine says Russia fomenting eastern unrest kiEV, April 7 (Ap): Ukraine’s prime minister accused Russia on Monday of sowing unrest in his country’s eastern provinces as a pretext for dispatching troops across the border.

Speaking at an emergency Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Russia was behind seizures of several government buildings in eastern regions that have for weeks seen a spike in secessionist sentiment.

“The plan is to destabilize the situation, the plan is for foreign troops to cross the border and seize the country’s territory, which we will not allow,” he said, adding that people engaged in the unrest have distinct Russian accents.

Yatsenyuk said Russian troops remain stationed within 30 kilometers (19 miles) of the frontier.

Earlier in the day, the Interior Ministry reported that armed gunmen had occupied a security services building in Luhansk, a city some 25 kilometers west of Russia that has seen frequent protests since the

Pro-Russian activists are seen in a hall inside the building of the Ukrainian regional office of the Security Service in Luhansk, 30 kms west of the Russian border, Ukraine, on Monday, April 7. (AP Photo)

country’s Russia-friendly president was ousted in February. Police in Luhansk said they have been put on alert and have blocked all entrances to the city.

A crowd of pro-Russian activists stormed the building on Sunday. Local media reported that demonstrators pelted the building with eggs, and then stones, a smoke grenade and finally a firebomb.

Ukraine’s interim author-

ities deny they are infringing the rights of the ethnic Russian population. Russia has moved large contingents of troops to areas near the Ukrainian border, and speculation is strong that unrest in eastern Ukraine could be used as a pretext for a Russian incursion. Since Crimea held a secession referendum and then was annexed by Russia in March, calls for similar votes in Ukraine’s east have emerged.

Also Sunday, crowds assaulted provincial government buildings in the eastern cities of Donetsk and Kharkiv. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said Monday that the Kharkiv building had been retaken by the authorities. In Donetsk, local media reported that groups occupying the provincial government building have barricaded the entrance with car tires and barbed wire.

Palestinians commandos in headscarves

JEriCHO, April 7 (Ap): Palestinian women in combat fatigues and headscarves rappelled down a six-story tower, fired assault rifles at imaginary terrorists and in a drill straight out of the movies bundled a wouldbe VIP into a car and sped off after a shooting. The 22 future commandos are trailblazers in a still largely male-dominated society, set to become the first female members of the Presidential Guards, a Palestinian elite force of 2,600 men. Their inclusion is the result of gradual changes in the West Bank in recent years.

Some gender barriers have fallen, with a few women assuming posts as mayors, judges and Cabinet ministers or starting their own businesses. At the same time, unemployment is on the rise, and families are more open to women entering non-traditional jobs if it means another paycheck.

Women make up just 3 percent of 30,000 members of the Palestinian police and other security agencies in the West Bank, but there’s a push to recruit more, said Brig. Rashideh Mughrabi, in charge of gender issues in the National Security Forces.

The female Presidential

Guards recruits were picked from last year’s graduating class of Independence University, a 4-year security academy in Jericho that trains future officers. For graduate Kurum Saad, the appeal was immediate. As a female officer, her traditional role would have been in administration, but she wanted adventure. “I didn’t want to sit in an office,” the 23-yrold said. “Since I was a little girl, I loved shooting and sports.”

On Sunday, Saad and the others in her group put on black combat boots, camouflage uniforms and pulled black ski masks over the headscarves to show journalists what they’d learned in their special training.

Several women, including nonswimmers, were asked to jump into a pool as a show of courage.

They dove in in full uniform, including boots, and one had to be pulled out by a lifeguard.

Six women, including Saad, rappelled down the six-story tower in pairs. Saad said she excels at sharp shooting but for months was terrified of heights.

She said that during training in Jordan with local commandos, she overcame her fear. Sunday, she swiftly made her way down,

smiling as she touched ground.

Saad said she relishes her role of opening doors for other women. Her father is proud of her and her little sister is eager to join the Guards, she said. All but two of the female Guards, including Saad, wore black headscarves, reflecting a growing trend among Palestinian women to cover their hair because of tradition, Muslim religious observance or social pressure.

As the women performed their drills at the walled Presidential Guards training complex in Jericho — having been called back from a break for the occasion — hundreds of young men waited in line outside in the brutal desert sun. They had responded to ads announcing the Guards wanted recruits, but faced a tough selection process, with only a few dozen of the tallest and fittest being chosen.

The Presidential Guards were established under the late Yasser Arafat, the globe-trotting Palestinian leader. Arafat spent most of his life in exile but returned to the Palestinian territories in 1994, as part of interim peace deals with Israel, and set up a self-rule government. Un-

In this Sunday, April 6, photo, Palestinian women who will become a part of the elite Presidential Guard stand during a training in Jericho, West Bank. Twenty-five Palestinian women are set to become the first female members of the Presidential Guards, a Palestinian elite force of 2,600 men. (AP Photo)

der Arafat’s often-chaotic rule, various security branches grew in size, with often overlapping or competing assignments. After Arafat’s death in 2004, the U.S. and Europe stepped in,

training and equipping some of the units as part of an attempt to rein in vigilantes and militants.

Under Arafat’s successor, President Mahmoud Abbas, the Guards are engaged in personal

protection, including of visiting dignitaries, but are also trained for anti-terrorism missions. For now, the female Guards are only being drawn from the West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, which is not under Ab-

bas’ control and is ruled by the Islamic militant Hamas, about 400 women serve in the 16,000-strong security forces. They have undergone some training, including in martial arts, but work mostly in administrative jobs, including as border control officers and an anti-drug unit.

The West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem were captured by Israel in 1967 and are sought by the Palestinians for a future state. The Palestinian security force training was meant to help prepare the people for statehood, yet independence remains elusive, with the latest U.S.-led mediation mission appearing to be on the verge of collapse.

The women are to start work at Abbas’ compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah in the summer. They’ll live in separate quarters from those of the men, but their work will be the same: personal protection, especially if there are female dignitaries or wives of male visitors. Rami Sammar, 23, one of their male colleagues, said he’s watched the women train and is impressed. “The way I see them, they are performing no less than us, the guys,” he said.

10

Dimapur

SPORTS

Tuesday 8 April 2014

The Morung Express

I don't think game of cricket Akira Yaegashi retains WBC flyweight title owes us anything: Sangakkara MIrpUr, AprIL 7 (pTI): Kumar Sangakkara's eloquence is unquestionable and he was grace personified on the final day of his T20 International career stating that it was a privilege to play the sport and it "does not owe anything to the players".

It turned out to be a fitting farewell for Sangakkara and his other illustrious teammate Mahela Jayawardene as Sri Lanka triumphed at the ICC World T20, beating India by six wickets in the title clash here.

"I don't think the game owes us, or any player, anything. Our job is to try and play it as best as we can and walk away, hopefully having made a positive impact.

The game gives us the opportunities and it's up to us to try and take them," Sangakkara said at the postmatch press conference.

"We had four opportunities before this, and today we took it. You need a bit of ability, luck, planning, execution. Also being at the right place at the right time," the veteran said after he got a hearty applause from the media contingent.

Asked about his feelings having won the Cup, he understandably thrilled.

"It's amazing. I can't explain it. This is the first time that I have been a part of a team that has won a World Cup. We'd been disappointed four times before.

It's hard to describe exactly what you feel, but you feel humble. You realise how difficult it is to get here, how much support you need, not just from your teammates, but from your family, your fans, the support staff.

"You can never do anything alone. You may be the best batsman in the world or the best bowler in the world, but you can't do anything without support.

At moments like this, you have to look back, reflect and be thankful for that

Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara holds the Man of the match trophy after winning the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup final match in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, April 6. (AP Photo)

support, because without that you wouldn't be here.

"It's been an amazing journey. It's time to walk away, and to walk away like this is even better," Sangakkara said, wearing his Man-of-the-Match medal proudly. Was there any added pressure on the side as they wanted to win it for him and Jayawardene, and the thoughtful Sangakkara said, "It's wonderful that the side wanted to win it for us. But there are 20 million other people to win for.

"It's not just about me or Mahela. It's about an entire squad, everyone who stands with you and behind you. We get noticed because it's our last game, but at the end of the day, everyone has played a part."

Sangakkara ruled out that emotions have played a part in the last few overs

when they were inching towards the target.

"Not till the end. I am a great believer that if you get emotional, you have to use it to your advantage. If not, then forget about being emotional. When we had 11 to get and I top-edged a boundary, I knew it was a couple of shots away, and with Thisara (Perera) at the other end, it was a done deal. "That's when I thought I could show some emotion. Sometimes you have to pump yourself up to get over the line. That's what happened today."

Sangakkara had a triple hundred against Bangladesh this year but had an indifferent tournament before clinching the final for his team. "I've had good times and bad, not just this year. What I did differently was that I probably

Kohima Open Dart Tournament KohIMA, AprIL 7 (MExN): The Naga Darts Association (NDA) is organizing Kohima Open Dart Tournament at Kohima Indoor Stadium, TT Hall Kohima on April 12 from 9:30 onwards.

All darters are have been invited to participate (first come fist basis registration).

The Association also requested all the well wishers and friends to come and support the NDA initiative For further details

Baptist Mission School Sports Week Concludes

Japanese champion Akira Yaegashi, right, sends a left to Mexican challenger Odilon Zaleta during their WBC flyweight boxing title bout in Tokyo, Sunday, April 6. Yaegashi knocked out Zaleta in the ninth round to defend his title. (AP Photo)

ToKYo, AprIL 7 (AFp): World Boxing Council flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi of Japan knocked out Mexican challenger Odilon Zaleta Sunday to retain his title after a close fight.

Yaegashi floored Zaleta with a right hook followed by a flurry of uppercuts in the ninth round. The Mexican struggled back to his feet but British referee Ian John Lewis stopped the fight two minutes and 14 seconds into the round.

It was 31-year-old Yaegashi's third defence of the 50.8kg division title which he won by outpointing

compatriot Toshiyuki Igarashi in Tokyo in April last year. His professional record improved to 20 wins, 10 of them inside the distance, against three losses.

It was the first crack at a world title for 28-yearold Zaleta, the number eight WBC contender, but he suffered his fourth defeat against 15 wins, eight of them by knockout. "The counter caught him by chance. I felt very anxious as I fought on," said Yaegashi, a former World Boxing Association minimum weight champion, whose reach was eight centimetres

shorter at 161 cm. "I want to prove that hard work pays off in the hotly contested flyweight division," he said.

Zaleta took advantage of his long reach to punish Yaegashi midway through the bout, but then the two boxers started fighting at close range. The Mexican hit the canvas in an exchange of counters in the ninth round. Yaegashi was slightly ahead on points in the first eight rounds, according to two judges.

Italian Guido Cavalleri scored it 77-75 and South Korean Lim Jun-Bae had it 77-76 in favour of the Japa-

nese. But American judge Steve Morrow carded it even at 76-76. Number one WBC contender Roman Gonzalez was on hand to greet Yaegashi by raising the champion's arm in the ring right after the fight. The 26-year-old Nicaraguan, who has never lost in his 39 fights with 33 knockout wins to his name, was widely seen as the next challenger for Yaegashi's crown. "Can I fight him?"

Yaegashi asked the cheering crowd at the Ota gymnasium. "I will work hard and try to win as long as there is a chance."

Humbling day for Ferrari at Bahrain Grand Prix

SAKhIr, AprIL 7 (Ap): Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo knows about the lows of Formula One as well as its highs, but he could not have suffered many more humbling days than he did at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.

Not only did he see his scarlet cars tour around mid-pack throughout, getting repeatedly passed by teams with only a fraction of the Italian team's budget, but he also witnessed

the rapid destruction of his argument that the new-era F1 was boring and needed urgent rule changes. Sunday's grand prix was hailed by most observers as one of the more exciting races of recent years, with copious overtaking moves and some thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing throughout the field.

While such a spectacle was a boon for the sport, it was a setback for the Ferrari chairman, who had been lobbying FIA chief Jean

Todt and F1's commercial powerbroker Bernie Ecclestone intensely in the days leading up to the race, saying the sport's smaller hybrid engines had created uneventful racing and must be changed.

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, who finished second after a thrilling racelong battle with teammate Lewis Hamilton, managed a smile when aiming some pointed remarks at Ferrari and other critics who had

leapt to judgment after just two races. "There were recent criticisms but they will all be very quiet tomorrow, which is a good thing," Rosberg said.

The political defeat was bad enough, but made even worse by the uncompetitive showing of the Ferraris in the grand prix, with the richly-paid world champion drivers Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen finishing ninth and 10th respectively.

Miami Heat too strong for Knicks

contact: Tournament director: Akielie9856123203, president- Lima 9436601014, MIAMI, AprIL 7 (Ap): secretary- Akum-9436608888 and execu- LeBron James couldn't wake up Sunday. He was tive member Sumika- 8974067660 sluggish when his alarm went off at 8 a.m. and still OPEN DART TOURNAMENT in a funk when the Miami *Model of Game: 501 Heat and New York Knicks *Category: Open tipped off five hours later. *Registration: Rs. 500 (T-Shirt free) He eventually got into *Existing prizes & trophy form, just in time to perhaps doom the Knicks' playoff chances. James scored 38 points and the championship will com- press, next to NSF office Heat survived an NBA-remence from April 21 to 30 and sports wordl, Ko- cord 22 3-point attempts at Kohima Local Ground. hima. Last date for sub- from New York's J.R. Smith A press note informed mission of forms is April in a 102-91 victory that kept that forms will be avail- 16. Interested parties can Miami atop the Eastern Conference standings. able at M-Tech printing contact 9856255336.

"You do your job and you live with the results," James said. "We lived with the result of J.R. making some of those bombs."

Challenger Cup 2014

KohIMA, AprIL 7 (MExN): Youth Aflame has informed that the Challenger Cup 2013, 10th mens and 6th womens open basketball

watched the ball a bit better today. I was a bit more positive. Earlier, when I went in at two down, I was cautious, trying to build a partnership, not being positive and showing intent. That's something I changed today. "But, to do that we needed a low target.

We knew that the Indian spinners could be effective here."

Sangakkara was blown away in the manner the Sri Lankan bowlers bowled at the death and said it set up the match for his team.

"The last four overs that we bowled were immaculate. I haven't seen four overs like that bowled to a guy on 70-something off 50 balls and MS Dhoni, who can hit any ball out of the park. For them not to be able to get bat on ball, it showed the quality of our bowling and the hard work and planning that had been done ahead of the game.

"You would take chasing 130 any day, but to restrict a side like that, we needed something special and our bowlers produced it."

Sangakkara said that change of captaincy in the middle of the tournament (Dinesh Chandimal made way for Lasith Malinga) did not have any adverse effect on the team. "Our job is to support anyone who captains. It doesn't matter who is leading. It's unfortunate that Chandi missed out on the last few games. Chandi has an amazing future, as a leader and as a player. He's still very young, and probably 13-14 years ahead of him. He will be one of our better players.

"Lasith took over and did a fantastic job. We're just happy that we have players who can step in and do the job when needed.

We have that quality in our dressing room. That makes us believe in ourselves and each other and it shows when we walk out to the middle," he concluded.

Chris Bosh added 14 points and Ray Allen had 12 for the Heat. Smith was 11-for-28 from the floor, 10-for-22 from beyond the arc, and took 10 3s in the fourth quarter alone while Carmelo Anthony didn't attempt a single shot in the period. The single-game mark was previously held

by Damon Stoudemire, who hoisted 21 3s on April 15, 2005. "It's not really been a goal of mine," Smith said. "I saw the open 3 and tried to take them. I had to take advantage."

Smith finished with 32 for the Knicks, who got 14 from Raymond Felton and 13 from Anthony on 4-for17 shooting. Anthony has been bothered by a sore

right shoulder, but played 44 minutes. "Melo is still hurting," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "I couldn't rest him again tonight. That second half, he was giving us what he's got."

The Heat (53-23) ensured they would finish the day still ahead of Indiana atop the East standings.

New York (33-45) has only four games left and will be either two or three losses behind Atlanta when Sunday ends, depending on the outcome of the later game between the Hawks and Pacers. "Our fate is almost now in Atlanta's hands," Anthony said. "It's tough. … My fate is in somebody else's hands."

Miami Heat forward LeBron James passes past New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert, left, and guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 6 in Miami. (AP Photo)

Roma wins to move 5 points behind Juventus

Students of Baptist Mission School, during the school’s sports meet, which concluded recently.

DIMApUr, AprIL 7 (MExN): The weeklong annual sports and games of Baptist Mission School concluded on Saturday. A press note informed that Company Commander of the 19 Assam Rifles, Captain HS Liddar had declared the week long sports and games meet open on March 31 in the Centenary compound of Jotsoma Baptist Church.

In his inaugural speech as the chief guest, Capt.H.S.Liddar encouraged the students to look inward and realize their potentials to develop them. He emphasized that sports and games are the integral parts of education and that it strengthens physical and mental abilities. Children become more disciplined through sports and it also contributes to their

studies, he stated.

Children participated in different disciplines of competitions like athletics and games. There was a friendly Volley ball match between the alumni and the present batch on the closing day. The closing ceremony started with the invocation prayer by Kerriezono, Assistant Headmistress of the school. The welcome address was delivered by, VJ Thomas, Headmaster of the school and the vote of thanks was proposed by Arenla Nagi.

Baptist Mission School Education Board Chairman, Board Members, other dignitaries, teachers and parents were also present for the function.

MILAN, AprIL 7 (Ap): Roma moved within five points of Serie A leader Juventus as Mattia Destro scored his first hat trick in a 3-1 win at Cagliari on Sunday. Destro reinforced his case for a place in Italy's World Cup squad as well as bolstering Roma's title hopes ahead of Juventus' home match against relegation-threatened Livorno on Monday. "A club which makes its mark on history is one which wins titles," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. "The race for first place is not over yet, but it doesn't depend on us. ... The only thing we have in our hands is second spot, and we will try to keep that position until the end of the season."

Fiorentina maintained its charge to a Europa League spot with a 2-1 win over Udinese, while Parma also remained on course after turning around a poor run of form to beat third-place Napoli 1-0. It moved level on points with Inter, with the two sides occupying the final Europa League places.

"I'm happy for the lads who had a great game, full of suffering and sacrifice, given that we also

Roma's Mattia Destro celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Cagliari and Roma in Cagliari, Italy, Sunday, April 6. (AP Photo)

had important players out," Parma coach Roberto Donadoni said.

"When we play like this we manage to get results, now we'll look forward and I think that with certain players coming back we can have our say." Lazio is two points behind after a comfortable 2-0 win

over Sampdoria, while Atalanta lost momentum with a 2-0 loss at home to lowly Sassuolo. Torino reignited its European hopes as Ciro Immobile moved back to the top of the goalscoring table with the winner in a 2-1 victory at Catania, his 18th of the season.

Catania later sacked coach Rolando Maran for the second time this season. Destro scored his first goal shortly after the half hour, firing home Gervinho's cross from close range after he had started the move.

The 23-year-old Destro doubled his tally 15 minutes into the second half, beating the offside trap to run onto a ball from on-loan Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan and slot past Vlada Avramov. Destro completed his hat trick in the 73rd, tapping in Alesandro Florenzi's cross.

Mauricio Pinilla netted a late consolation from the spot after he had been tripped by Mehdi Benatia It was Roma's first win at Cagliari since 1995, excluding the 3-0 victory it was awarded last season when the Serie A game was postponed for safety reasons after Cagliari defied orders to play in an empty stadium. In Florence, Juan Cuadrado scored and earned a penalty against his former club.

Cuadrado opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a long-range effort which was deflected by Udinese defender Danilo past goalkeeper Simone Scuffet.

Tuesday

Entertainment Nicole Kidman keeping it real in latest roles

The Morung Express C M Y K

Derrik J. Lang

W

and Middle East pioneer Gertrude Bell in "Queen of the Desert."

In an interview with The Associated Press, Kidman discussed tackling portrayals of realer-than-real women like former nurse Patti Lomax, Gertrude Bell and her highly anticipated role in "Grace of Monaco," which is opening this year's Cannes Film Festival. ("Grace" was delayed from release last year following creative differences between the film's director and distributor.)

AP: You've played so many characters over the years, but how do you approach the ones based on actual people, like Virginia Woolf, Grace Kelly and Patti Lomax?

Kidman: Patti is different because she's still alive and was able to give me information about herself. I didn't meet her until I start-

ed filming. Everyone kept saying, "Do you want to meet her?" I was like, "No, I'd really like to be able to watch her in an interview."

Actually, the producer sat with her for hours — he's a very good friend of hers — and taped her and sent me the tapes. I basically had access to her whole life, stories about her, her mannerisms and behavior, like I was a fly on the wall.

AP: You have three films coming out with Colin Firth ("The Railway Man," ''Before I Go to Sleep," ''Paddington"). What is it about him that compels you to continue to work with him?

Kidman: I just enjoy him. I really enjoy his brain and his talent, but he has a really great sense of humor. Me and millions of other women in the world go, "Wow! Colin Firth!" My mom adores him. My sister adores him. I've just got so

where I'm so interested in exploring things and going places that I haven't been.

I want my life to be full, so that means all of us — my family — up and moving AP: Tell me what it was to Morocco and doing this like to play Grace Kelly. so we can have the experiHave you seen the film yet? ence.

Kidman: I have not seen the version that's AP : Between your showing at Cannes, but schedule and Keith's schedobviously I will. I may be ule, how do you balance evseeing it opening night at erything?

Cannes. It was the chance Kidman: Every time of a lifetime to play her. I re- when we're not working, ally admire her, and I think we spend together. That's she has such otherworldly it. It's that simple. We're qualities. I think she has not off. We have a very an aura about her. I don't simple life but an extraorknow if I'm able to capture dinary creative life, if that that, but I was honored to makes sense. I'm lucky that have the chance to. We'll I've got a partner that's tosee. It's only a six-month tally committed to making period of her life that we it work. We have two little depict. It's a fairytale. It's girls that we adore, and not a heavy drama. It's got we're very blessed, in the beautiful costumes. It's sense of having a family. sumptuous.

We certainly talk about everything. We make the deAP: You've had the cisions together. chance to work with some incredible filmmakers AP: Where are you most throughout your career. happy these days? Is it in What was it like teaming Nashville or on a set someup recently with director where or back in Australia?

Werner Herzog for "Queen Kidman: Happiness, of the Desert"? that's obviously different Kidman: I call it Werner for everybody, but what I World. Werner World is just call my joy, the thing that a different realm. It's glori- makes me feel incredibly ous. I said to him, "Werner, I satiated, is my family, and feel like I've been in a dream then I get to go and play out with you for the past two- all of my ideas and feelings and-a-half months, and through all these different now I've got my feet back characters. Then, I come on earth." I'm at a place back to just being mama.

Dimapur

11

Dj Ina performs at one of the biggest clubs in Bengaluru, Club Palazo formerly known as Club Coco Bongo along with MC Biggs (USA) on April 5. Dj Ina will be performing in Hyderabad later this month.

many friends who go, "Oh my gosh. Colin Firth." I now know him in a different way, but I have such respect for him as an actor.

AP Entertainment Writer

ith several films set to debut this year, including such disparate turns as a taxidermist villainess, mysterious amnesiac and an actress-turned-princess, Nicole Kidman will again become a familiar face in theaters.

While maintaining a steady presence in Hollywood for more than two decades, the 46-year-old Academy Award winner has been focusing more in recent years on raising her two daughters with husband and country star Keith Urban — away from the spotlight in Nashville, Tenn.

For her latest role in "The Railway Man," out April 11, the "Moulin Rouge" and "The Hours" star plays a supportive wife to World War II veteran Eric Lomax (Colin Firth).

In the autobiographical adaptation, Patti and Eric Lomax confront his past as a prisoner of war in Thailand, where he worked on the "death railway," a 258mile stretch of treacherous train track running into Burma.

Upcoming this year, Kidman will also play a villainess in "Paddington," amnesiac in "Before I Go to Sleep," leading lady Grace Kelly in "Grace of Monaco"

8 April 2014

C M Y K

Avancer returns with ‘The Trip '

N

agaland based band 'Avancer', the winner of the ‘Rock Aware’ contest organized by NSACS in 2011 made a huge

come back by releasing their brand new single 'The Trip' on www.indihut.com.

Avancer's new hit single created a huge wave on indihut as fans and music lovers spread the buzz in anticipation. Avancer al-

ready has a huge fan following where the band played alongside Firehouse and also opened for ‘Higher on Maiden (UK) official tribute band of ‘Iron Maiden’.

Avancer is Opang(Vocals), Alem( D r u m s ) ,Te m s u ( G u i t a

rs),Temjen(Bass) and Yan(Keyboards).

The band announced the release of their latest single on indihut where music lovers from around the world can download their track using their laptops and mobile phones for free.

Ranbir is adorable and I want to marry him : Alia

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ctress Alia Bhatt says she finds Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor adorable and has expressed her desire to marry him. Alia will be seen in the upcoming episode of filmmaker Karan Johar's celebrity talk show 'Koffee with Karan' and when the host 'asked what is your vibe like with Ranbir', the 21-year-old actress was all praises for him.

I remember the first time I spoke to Ranbir.. you called him up when 'Rockstar' released and you said, here talk to Ranbir tell him how much you love him. And I just spoke so much rubbish, I was just talking non-stop. But later I have hung out with Ranbir and I still think he is really adorable and I still want to marry him, Alia said.

When asked if she has expressed her love for him to Ranbir's mother Neetu Kapoor and more importantly does Katrina Kaif (his rumoured girlfriend) know about it, Alia said, Everybody knows my plan. I have gone on record and said it as you said.. and I am very open about it except to Ranbir.

In the rapid fire round, when Karan asked Alia to name a person from the film industry who she would like to go on a romantic date with, Alia promptly replied Ranbir. Also, there have been rumours that Alia and Arjun are dating each other, but the young actress rubbished such reports.

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Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George arrive for their visit to New Zealand at the International Airport, in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, April 7. (AP Photo)

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Strait wins entertainer of the year at ACM Awards

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eorge Strait w on his second entertainer of the year — 25 years

a f ter he won his first — and Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban teamed up to earn top honors Sunday night at a jam-

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packed Academy of Country Music Awards that had a little something for everyone.

Strait's victory was not unexpected. He's a few months from retiring from the road and won the same trophy at the rival Country Music Association Awards five months ago. But the ACMs entertainer award is fan-voted and some wondered if Strait's older fan base might vote.

"I've always said I have the best fans in the world," Strait told the crowd. "I heard this was a fan-voted thing, so I rest my case." No one will begrudge Strait the win, including co-hosts Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, who were also nominated in the category with Lambert and

Taylor Swift. "Our hero," Shelton said in a genuine moment. "Our hero won tonight!"

Until that point Bryan and Shelton had overshadowed much of the ceremony, held in Las Vegas. Urban and Lambert tied for the most trophies but it was Lambert's husband, Shelton, and Bryan who were on a winning streak.

They deftly stole the show with a mix of selfdeprecating, celebrity-skewering jokes and two performances apiece. And as Shelton noted, he also gets to share Lambert's bed.

"Honestly, I think we're the biggest celebrities in the room," Shelton said during the show's funniest moment — a recreation of Ellen DeGeneres' selfie moment at the Oscars — and it may just be true.

Sheltonisthestarof"TheVoice"andaplatinumselling hitmaker with 11 straight No. 1s. Bryan is the

reigning entertainer of the year, and both were up for that award again this year with Lambert, Taylor Swift and George Strait, the genre's top stars. They zinged Eric Church over the likelihood of finding marijuana in his dressing room, poked fun at Britney Spears (who performs on the Las Vegas strip) and ribbed Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, in the audience, about his team's disappointing playoff record (Shelton and Bryan announced the 50th edition of the ACM Awards will be held at the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium next year).

Each performed twice with Shelton offering a subdued but powerful version of his song "My Eyes," playing an acoustic guitar while seated

with Gwen Sebastian at his side, before returning flanked by Shakira on their duet "Medicine." Bryan performed "Play It Again" while standing on a revolving replica of a vinyl album, then teamed with vocal duo of the year winner Florida Georgia Line on "This is How We Roll."

Lambert did her best to upstage her husband, who gave her a peck on the forehead after she won single record of the year for "Mama's Broken Heart," co-written by Kacey Musgraves.

Lambert also won her fifth straight female vocalist of the year award.

Lambert teamed with Urban to win vocal event of the year for their "We Were Us" collaboration for which Urban won trophies as producer and performer. Urban won video of the year with Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift for "Highway Don't Care." The three wins Sunday night gave Lambert

18 trophies at the ACM Awards since she first won best new female artist in 2006. She followed up her single record of the year win with a performance of her song "Automatic." Musgraves won album of the year for "Same Trailer Different Park" two months after taking the Grammy for country album of the year. Lee Brice's song "I Drive Your Truck" won song of the year and Justin Moore won new artist of the year. It's one of two fan-voted awards along with top honor entertainer of the year.

The Band Perry won vocal group of the year and Jason Aldean — a target of his good friend Bryan and Shelton — won his second straight male vocalist of the year award.

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Chelsea, ManU face uphill task in CL

LONDON, ApriL 7 (Ap): Once again, English clubs look set for a premature exit in the Champions League.

On Wednesday, Manchester United must beat Bayern Munich or earn a high-scoring draw following their 1-1 result at Old Trafford, and Chelsea must overcome a 3-1 deficit from the first leg to reach the semifinals at the expense of Paris SaintGermain on Tuesday.

If Man United and Chelsea fail to advance, it will be the second year in a row with no English representation in the last four of Europe's top club competition, which is currently dominated by Spanish and German clubs.

In this week's other matchups, Real Madrid travels to 2013 finalist Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday with a 3-0 first leg advantage that all but secured the Spanish powerhouse's fourth consecutive semifinal. In the all-Spanish meeting between Atletico and Barcelona, a goalless home draw on Wednesday will be enough for the Madrid side to oust the Catalans and reach its first semifinal since 1974 following their 1-1 draw at Camp Nou last week.

Here is a look ahead to this week's second legs in the Champions League quarterfinals: ATLETICO MADRIDBARCELONA With only four combined goals in four meetings this season, something has to give as Atletico tries

ter failing to win any of its last four fixtures against English sides in Munich.

This season, Bayern lost 3-2 at home to Manchester City with progress from the group stage already secured and then drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the return leg of their round-of-16 tie.

There were losses to Arsenal and Chelsea, on penalties in the 2012 Champions League final, before that.

"Next Wednesday we have a final. It's about life or death," Guardiola said.

United can take heart after winning both their last two games in Germany.

Chelsea's Fernando Torres, center, has his shot on goal saved by Stoke City's Asmir Begovic, right, during their English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, April, 5. (AP Photo)

to make good on its slight away-goal advantage when hosting Barcelona with their quarterfinal poised at 1-1.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone has the upper hand on fellow Argentine Gerardo Martino so far, as Atletico has dictated the pace, kept the scorelines low and managed to leave Lionel Messi without a goal.

But Atletico may be without leading scorer Diego Costa who left the first leg with a right thigh injury, even though the team's supporting cast has proven it can pick up the scoring slack in its last two matches. Barce-

lona will be without injured center back Gerard Pique.

Atletico leads the Spanish league by one point over Barcelona and both sides showed signs of having weary legs when they eked out wins in the domestic competition on Saturday, so fitness could be a decisive factor. "There is little margin for error," Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto said. "The small details will make the difference."

is out with a thigh injury, Chelsea needs to defend better and be more aggressive at Stamford Bridge, where Paris Saint-Germain is defending a twogoal advantage from its 3-1 win at home. The French club built its lead without too much effort last week, prompting Chelsea's Jose Mourinho to bemoan the lack of real strikers in his squad and lament his players' defending.

At the Parc des Princes, CHELSEA-PARIS Chelsea was indeed made SAINT-GERMAIN to pay for its sloppy defendAlthough PSG star ing and incapacity to transstriker Zlatan Ibrahimovic form first-half domination

into goals. The Blues are still hopeful they can overcome the deficit with a repeat of the performance that helped them defeat Napoli in the last 16 round two years ago when the Italian side came to London with a 3-1 lead from the first leg.

"They (PSG) are in the driving seat and that is not ideal so we are not kidding ourselves," Chelsea defender Gary Cahill said.

"The pressure is on us to be at it from the word 'go'.

I've played in these big Champions League nights at Stamford Bridge before

and we have got a big home said before resting a host of performance in us." regulars against Augsburg.

Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery BAYERN MUNICHand Philipp Lahm were left MANCHESTER UNITED out of the squad, while DaBayern's aura of invin- vid Alaba, Jerome Boateng, cibility has lost its shine Mario Goetze, Dante and after failing to win any of Thomas Mueller all started its last three games. Satur- on the bench. day's 1-0 defeat at Augs"For us the most imburg brought the side's portant thing today was 53-game league record un- that nobody got injured — beaten run to an end, while that's the be all and end all," Bayern had drawn the pre- Bayern goalkeeper Manuvious two, against Hoffen- el Neuer said. "It's about heim and — more impor- Wednesday, the game tantly — United. against Manchester. Every"The Bundesliga is over thing else is all the same." for us. Our target is the ChamThe German champions League," Guardiola pion is wary of United af-

BORUSSIA DORTMUNDREAL MADRID Dortmund gathered self-belief for the daunting task against Madrid by coming from behind to beat Wolfsburg 2-1 on Saturday. It was the second Bundesliga game in a row that Juergen Klopp's side had overturned a deficit to emerge victorious, giving a timely boost ahead of Tuesday's game.

"There's still a glimmer of hope," Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl said.

Another reason to hope is Robert Lewandowski, who scored four goals when the sides last met in Dortmund in the semifinals last season. The Bundesliga topscorer is back after sitting out the 3-0 defeat in Madrid through suspension. "We won't give anything away," Klopp said. "On Tuesday we want to play two second halves, and then we'll see."

Federer steers Swiss to Davis Cup semis

LONDON, ApriL 7 (rEUTErS): Roger Federer sealed Switzerland's place in the Davis Cup semifinals when he completed a comeback win for the hosts over Kazakhstan on Sunday but Britain's last-four hopes were trampled into Italian clay in Naples.

France are also in the last four despite looking dead and buried on Friday when they lost the opening two singles matches against a weakened Germany line-up.

Wins for Jo Wilfried-Tsonga and Gael Monfils earned France a 3-2 victory in Nancy to set up a semi-final against holders Czech Republic who breezed past Japan in Tokyo 5-0. When you need a Lexi Thompson holds up the trophy after winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship golf player to win a decisive fifth rubber in a gripping Davis Cup tie, having tournament Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. (AP Photo)

one with 17 grand slam titles to his name would be a dream scenario for any team captain.

So it proved for Switzerland's Severin Luthi in Geneva's Palexpo on Sunday as Federer strolled out to face world No.64 Andrey Golubev after Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka had hauled the Swiss level at 2-2 with a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Mikhail Kukushkin. Not that world No.4 Federer had it all his own way initially against Golubev who hit back from a break down to take the opening set to a tiebreak.

Federer then showed his class, winning the breaker 7-0 before taking the next two sets 6-2, 6-3 and keep Switzerland on course for a first-ever Davis Cup title hav-

ing fallen in the final to the United States in 1992. "It's great. I was hoping so much I was going to get a chance to play and not just watch Stan play," said Federer.

"I got the opportunity and I'm happy I lived up to the hype and the expectations, and I was able to get the boys through so very happy for them. "I was confident but not silly confident but respectful confident towards the opponent (we could do it)." Britain began on Sunday with a 2-1 lead against Italy, needing just one of Sunday's two singles to reach the last four for the first time since 1981.

However, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray proved no match for an inspired Fabio Fognini who won 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 before Andreas

Seppi overcame some early nerves to outclass James Ward 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 and put Italy in the semis for the first time since 1998.

"We have waited for a long time to go into the semi-finals," Italy captain Corrado Barazzutti said. "We are very satisfied for that. This is really a great victory. We started the day with two difficult matches. My players played two great matches.

"It's difficult to believe that we won six sets." France captain Arnaud Clement was also a happy man after his team emulated the 1996 side who also battled back from a 0-2 deficit to beat Italy. Tsonga and Monfils were untroubled on Sunday as they completed the recovery job to keep France on course for a first Davis Cup title for 13 years.

It was an off-day for Yuvraj: MS Dhoni

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MirpUr, ApriL 6 (pTi): An exhausted and disappointed Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni found it tough to explain Yuvraj Singh's painstakingly slow batting in the lost World Twenty20 final against Sri Lanka but insisted that the under-fire player tried his best.

Yuvraj's 21-ball 11 was a major factor in India totalling a mere 130 after being put in to bat on Sunday. Sri Lanka overhauled the target in 17.5 overs after losing just four wickets.

"It was an off day for Yuvraj. He tried his best but it's not easy to come in and start slogging from ball one," Dhoni said at the post-match press conference where most of the questions centred on Yuvraj's performance.

There were a few which Dhoni completely deflected during his shortest media interaction in the whole tournament.

Was there a message for Yuvraj when he got stuck in the middle, Dhoni said, "No he was just trying his best. That's the most you can do." Dhoni was specifically asked about Yuvraj's future in the team considering others have more or less performed their duties or at least have age on their

India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. (AP Photo)

side. The smiling skipper gave an open-ended reply.

"Indian cricket season is over, and now we have all domestic tournaments including the Indian Premier League. The next selection is far away so let's not talk about it."

There had been angry reactions from the fans and Dhoni got a bit serious while answering a query.

"Look, you need to understand that fans can be angry but they can't be more disappointed than the individual who is out there in the middle. As a player you don't want to do badly in

front of 40000 people. You don't want to drop catches.

But off days happen. And it can happen with any athlete. May be it was an off day for him (Yuvraj).

"Fans will be disappointed but it is the player who is always more disappointed than the fans," he explained.

When asked if Yuvraj's innings "robbed the team" of momentum, Dhoni seemed like wanting to put an end to the endless queries.

"It's a team thing. So let us not talk about individuals." Dhoni also tried hard to explain the reason for sending Yuvraj ahead of

Suresh Raina at No. 4.

"Most of our batsmen take time to hit the big shots and it is only Raina, who can start hitting big from the onset. That was the reason that we sent Yuvi up the order at No. 4."

Dhoni was all praise for the Sri Lankan team, especially the manner they bowled "wide yorkers" at the death. "We wanted to score as many runs as possible in last four overs but credit to Lankan bowlers.

They bowled perfect wide yorkers. I for one, know that Malinga bowls these superb wide yorkers. They

got only one wide during that phase. They executed their plans brilliantly.

"We were a bit disappointed at the break for not having scored more than 130 but then we were thinking about Champions Trophy. It was also a 20-over match but here we had one fielder more outside the circle," the skipper said.

As for why he didn't start with his best bowler Ravichandran Ashwin, Dhoni defended the move saying, "We wanted to use Ashwin in middle overs against left-handers. So we couldn't start with him. But the pacers went for runs and I had to bring him early and he also got a wicket."

"Also the wicket changed a bit under lights as the ball started coming onto the bat," he added.

Dhoni tried to count the positives from the tournament, having been consistent right from the practice match against England.

"The spinners have bowled well as they got a bit of help and turn from the track. Virat (Kohli) has been brilliant for us as he has been in the last one and half years and even more. We were consistent from start and hence there weren't too many changes in the playing XI."

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