8th January 2014

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The Morung Express

Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 6

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Kylie got up to fun and games with mystery politician

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reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 7 (MExN): The Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University was today involved in a minor car accident at around 10:30 am near Dillaijan, under Bokajan Police Station. Assam Police informed that the VC was travelling towards Dimapur in a Mahindra Scorpio, which grazed a truck on National Highway 39. According to the police, the Vice Chancellor, along with his driver and Personal Security Officer sustained minor injuries but resumed their journey soon after receiving treatment.

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Myanmar journalists stage rare demonstration [ PAGE 9]

–Ezra Taft Benson

Ronaldo dedicates goals to Eusebio in Real win [ PAGE 12]

Gariphema - a tale of unity and camaraderie Kohima | January 7

NU Vice Chancellor in minor car accident

Open Gospel Music Contest 2013-season 2 concludes

[ PAGE 11]

Vibi Yhokha & Victor Dzüvichü

Guns, bombs? Well, Havildar, I’m just a poor subji wala. I`m not carrying any money.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4

With pride, there are many curses. With humility, there come many blessings Policeman dead, 3 injured in Kashmir gunfight

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Nestled 54 km away from the Nagaland State capital is the village of Gariphema, well known to many as the birthplace of the revivalist movement in Nagaland and more specifically the birth of the Nagaland Christian Revival Church (NCRC). However what many people are unaware of is the story of two tribes who have lived together since the formation of the village. Tradition has it that about 1,200 years ago, when our fore fathers were still head-hunting, a Sumi and a Tenyimia from opposite directions came surveying a mountain to set up a village. When one of them came and lit a fire, the other would come and put out the fire. The same happened when they put up Khutige (Khutige is a ball of leaves with sharp sticks running through the ball of leaves, put on a long split stick, to identify that a particular land has an owner). Each of them after lighting a fire or putting up signs, would go back home only to come back the next day and find their work destroyed by the other. This continued until one day, they finally met face to face. Spears were raised at the faceoff, however something passed through their minds simultaneously as both sides decided to put their weapons down and negotiate.

When they began to converse, realization dawned that they could not understand each other’s dialect; however the two managed to make peace with each other through sign language. With their feet they drew a line on the ground and waving at each other indicated, “You stay on that side, and I will stay on this side,” thereby setting up the village together. Tradition has it that the present playground was once a big lake and was surrounded by a species of edible leaves called “Gari,” from where the village derived its name. Gariphema is considered as one of the oldest villages in Nagaland.

“To live in man’s ideas is impossible” If you ask anyone in Gariphema about the one thing that has kept them together all this time, the likely answer is, “To live in man’s ideas is impossible. It is all because of God alone.” Their belief in God, and in one denomination, is perhaps a major reason for their unity. Christianity in Gariphema arrived in 1944. It was in Gariphema that the NCRC was formed in 1962 - a time when the revivalist movement was at its zenith in Nagaland. In 2012, NCRC celebrated its golden jubilee. Every year, the Pentecostal Day is celebrated in Gariphema where people, not just from Nagaland, but from states like Assam, Manipur

Villagers participating in oiled pole climbing- a traditional game during the feast in Gariphema.

and Arunachal also attend. white paint on the walls in open Around the village are found spaces. There is an aura of deep bible verses written in blue and spirituality among the people;

you understand it in the way sations of the villagers as one they owe everything to God with person talks to the other in Tegenuine praise and sincerity. nyidie; while the latter replies in Sumi, with just one church and Gariphema Women Society the whole village Christians, GaFor decades, the Gariphema riphema village is a symbol of Women Society has been the peace and tranquility. Talking to driving force in banning alco- Krüso Chiese, our host at the vilhol and tobacco in Gariphema lage, we learnt that the villagers village. Every day the women believed disunity among the viltake turns to check every vehi- lagers would bring forth God’s cle entering the village. “Some- wrath upon the village. times our women would go out Krüso further related on the for checking at night without cross culture tribal marriage sleeping. We never get tired or that was prevalent among the disappointed because we, the villagers, the villagers still rewomen, have been assigned this spect the territorial boundary duty by the village council. And their two ancestors drew about it is a great pleasure for us to be 1,200 years ago, with the village serving with such a role,” says divided into a Sumi khel and an Yeshili Khana, Chairman of the Angami khel. Yet these boundaries do not represent in any way Gariphema Women Society. Ask Yesheli what has kept distinction on the basis of lanthem together, she says, “I think guage or tribe. It only signifies we have never differentiated how they still respect the stateach other. We have never la- utes of their fore fathers. beled any one of the community On the northern side of Gaas the ‘other’.” riphema, one can see Lazami and At a time when Nagaland un- other Sumi villages, while on the dergoes a phase of violence and southern side, one can see the unrest, Gariphema is not just a Angami villages. At a time when tale of two tribes coexisting har- “isms” have shrouded every somoniously for centuries but it is a ciety in the world, the villagers of tale of hope, faith and love that we Gariphema village have shown, Nagas are and can be much better in their simplest ways, how peothan what we are right now. ple from every walk of life can live together in perfect harmony, “United we stand, leaving aside all differences, fordivided we shall fall” getting about the different culAs one walks through the tures we share and contending village one can’t help but feel ourselves under the common amazed hearing the conver- umbrella of humanity.

Sumis ‘delink’ relationship with NSCN (IM) Swu makes ‘earnest

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 7 (MExN): In a major decision against the backdrop of the December 21 Aghuito incident and the subsequent “flush out” of NSCN (IM) cadres from the Mukalimi Designated Camp on December 30, the Sumi public on Tuesday resolved to “delink” its relationship with NSCN (IM) with immediate effect and to cease paying all kinds of taxation to the group. This was one of the resolutions adopted during the Sumi general public meeting held at Town Hall, Zunheboto under the aegis of the Sumi Hoho and attended by Sumi frontal organisations and head GBs, village council chairmen and VDB secretaries from all Sumi villages. This was informed through

Resolves to rise up against any faction or group intimidating or committing excess to either Sumi individuals or community

a statement issued jointly by Hovishe Arkha, president, Sumi Hoho; Ghovito Zhimomi, president, Sumi Kukami Hoho; Kitoli Naje, president, Sumi Totimi Hoho and Holuvi Chophy, president, Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu. Another resolution stated that the Sumi public would rise up against any faction/factions or group of people intimidating or committing excess to either Sumi individuals or community in the coming days. As per the Sumi public rally resolution no. 2 of December

26, 2013, the public meeting resolved that the NSCN (IM) shall not be permitted to establish its Designated Camp within Sumi inhabited areas. This would be intimated to the concerned authority for necessary action, the resolution added. The Sumi public declared December 28 as Sumi Martyrs’ Day, to be observed annually in memory of the late Paketo Assumi and late Ghukiye Zhimomi who lost their lives during the confrontation between the Sumi public and the NSCN (IM) at Mukalimi Designated Camp.

The meeting also resolved to name the burial place of the “heroes,” donated by sons of Late Kuhozu of Sukhalu Village, as “Sumi Martyrs’ Park.” The joint statement stated that two were shot dead and six injured during the Mukalimi flush out episode, which was a fall out of December 21, 2013 Aghuito incident. It stated that the NSCN (IM) cadres committed “sexual harassment, attempted rape and murder.” It was also stated that due to the failure of the NSCN (IM) authorities to hand over the culprits to the district administration, the Sumi public as per resolution no. 1 of December 26, 2013, had flushed out NSCN (IM) cadres from its designated camp at Mukalimi.

appeal’ for restraint

DELHI, JANUARY 7 (MExN): On behalf of the Collective Leadership, Chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Isak Chishi Swu, has written to the Sumi people reminding their contribution to a “proud history that has helped in shaping the destiny of the Nagas.” Explaining the Council’s seriousness about justice, Swu recounted the steps taken by them to make sure that justice was done in the December 21 incident. “Justice is essential and required by the human society at all times,” Swu stated in a message to the people today. “We respect and welcome our people to understand together on any issues,” he said, also acknowledging that the Council’s government had never defended the ac-

tion of the three errant cadres, “neither denied nor justified it and accordingly after conducting thorough investigation punishment was meted out to them as per the Ahza of the Government.” With this in mind, Swu has made an “earnest appeal” to the Sumi people to “exercise restraint so as to prevent any further unwanted situation.” The Chairman, while asking people to make sure that “no divisive elements disturb us from within” and praying for “wisdom and vision at this critical juncture of our history,” has reiterated that the NSCN is for the people and shall “negotiate and bring about an honourable negotiated political settlement for the Nagas.” Full text on page 4

34 villages affected in Karbi Anglong: official report ‘third force caused Karbi-rengma clash’

Night curfew to continue in affected area

Morung Express News Dimapur | January 7

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Dusk to dawn curfew in the violence-affected areas of Karbi Anglong will continue till such time the situation stabilizes, stated the SubDivisional Officer of Bokajan sub-division on Tuesday, January 7. The statutory promulgation however does not affect vehicular movement on the highways. According to reports, the situation in the affected areas is calming as some people from the relief camps were able to go their villages on Tuesday, albeit under security. Fifty-two people from Santipur relief camp made the trip back to their villages today, said one relief worker at Santipur. These people will however return to the relief camps. Figures provided at the relief camp put the count of houses burnt in the Rengma villages at 48. According to the figures, 17 houses were razed at Sathi village (Chogi-

Children in one of the relief camps in Santipur, under Bokajan sub-division, Karbi-Anglong give curious looks, while a security man stands vigil in the background on Tuesday, January 7. Photo by Caisii Mao

lushonyu), 13 at Khoaani, 14 at Renong Gaon, and 4 at Khanari (Nkhenari). ‘Summary profile’ of damages compiled by the Karbi Anglong administration put the number of villages affected at 34 as of January 6. This includes both Karbi and Rengma villages. The number of affected Rengma villages is put at 16. Not all Rengma villages were vacated however, a relief worker said. Villagers of Jongpha and Chosenlari did not flee, choosing to stay back, it was added. The data provided by the administrative head

of Karbi Anglong, Deputy Commissioner, BK Buragohain, who visited Santipur today, put the number of families affected at 810. The number of families, whose houses were destroyed by fire, was shown as 130. A total of nine relief camps were sheltering 4054 people. It did not show the break-up of men, women and children. Only one of the three relief camps in Santipur had a compiled list of adults and children. The camp had 320 minors as of January 6. Rengma relief camps are located at Jongpha, Phent-

sero (Phencherop) and Santipur, while Karbi relief camps are at Chokihola and Silonijan. The total number of Rengmas sheltered at relief camps is put at 2210. In addition to displaced Karbis and Rengmas, unofficial accounts state that more than 60 families from other communities have also been affected, some of whom are either in relief camps or fending for themselves. No information could be had on the status of Karbi relief camps. The Karbi Anglong DC said that the administration is in the process of assessing damage for rehabilitation. The DC said that government assistance for rebuilding homes will be provided based on the level of damage incurred by a family. The aid will be in the form of Rs. 20, 000 in cash, together with building material for “fully damaged houses” and Rs. 20,000 for “partially damaged houses.” It was not disclosed how the government will rehabilitate those who have lost livestock, paddy and orchards. Asked to comment on the ground situation, the DC said, “The situation should normalise.”

DIPHU, JANUARY 7 (MExN): The Karbi Anglong Peace Forum today met the Commissioner Hill Areas and Barak Valley, Government of Assam and apprised him on the current situation in the KA area. The KAPF urged the Commissioner to look into the relief and needs of the affected people. A press note from the KAPF informed that during the meeting, KAPF members informed the Commissioner that “an attempt by a third force to cause clash between Karbis and Rengmas at Phangcherop under Chokihola police station was made in July 2013.” It stated that social organizations and student leaders went to the spot immediately and “prevented the third force to cause a clash.” KAPF also cited that on December 14, 2013 “two Karbis were assaulted at Khriang Rengma village by unknown heavily armed people, claiming to be from Dimapur.” It added that an

Karbi Anglong Peace Forum apprise Assam govt on current situation

FIR was submitted to the police at Chokihola police station but that “the police refused to accept the FIR.” Again on December 15, 2013, according to the KAPF, “the Karbi people sent five persons to Khirang village with a letter for a peace meeting but they were badly assaulted again by the same group of heavily armed people.” KAPF further alleged that “they wanted to kill the five Karbis but the Rengma villagers and the headman prevented the heavily armed persons from killing the five Karbis.” “In spite of requesting the police, the police did not send any police force to Khirang village and did not patrol the area,” it added. It stated that the “Karbis and the Rengma Nagas are led to believe that Assam government agencies have intentionally caused the clash…” As such, it

said that if peace is to be restored “then the Assam government must prevent their agencies from causing clashes among the tribe people which began in 2003.” According to the KAPF press release, the Commissioner had informed that the Government of Assam has set up several police camps in the area and that the government had already taken sufficient steps to provide relief materials and to rehabilitate the victims. The KAPF urged the Commissioner to construct a road from Chokihola to all the affected areas through Borpung-Tarapung, Langlokso and up to Samelangso immediately. It further added that the the Rengma people have been demanding a Nominated Member of Autonomous Council (MAC), which the present government has not nomi-

nated since 2001. The KAPF demanded that the government must nominate one Rengma person as MAC by “cancelling the nominated membership given to ineligible non-scheduled tribe immediately.” In addition, the KAPF told the Commissioner that if a CBI enquiry is ordered than the government must order a CBI enquiry into all the tribal clashes since 2003 in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao district, including the killings which began on December 27, 2013 in Chokihola area. The KAPF further urged the Commissioner to hand over relief department to the KAAC immediately, as “the present works of relief and rehabilitation by the Government of Assam is very slow and inadequate.” The KAPF delegation comprised of Benting Teron, Chairmanl; Khorsing Teron, Adviser; Kangjang Terang Adviser; Rev. KS Ronghang, Adviser and JI Kathar (IAS Retd), Adviser.

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