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Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 247
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit
Uneasy calm Ranbir & prevails in Priyanka are Muzaffarnagar awarded honours as death toll by Mandela’s climbs to 15 granddaughter [ PAGE 08]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
On September 6, 1960, Matikhrü, a village along the borders of Nagaland and Manipur in Phek district of Nagaland witnessed the beheading of its men by combined forces of the Indian Army’s Sikh and Gorkha Regiments. The Indian army said it was reacting to the villagers supplying ration to Naga army men enLook. I am not feeling well gaged in the Thuda war. so have someone else to The Pochury Students’ lead the evening prayer Union (PSU) recognizes meeting. September 6 every year as a ‘Black day’ in the memThe Morung Express ory of those who gave up POLL QUESTIOn their lives for the freedom Vote on www.morungexpress.com struggle. Minister for Forest SMS your answer to 9862574165 and Border Affairs, Y PatDo you support ACAUT ton remarked that this day initiative against ‘unabated should be remembered by taxation’ and ‘illegal collection’ all Nagas and not just the in the Naga context? Pochury tribe, as it was a major event in the his-
Calling upon the PSU in particular and the Pochury tribe in general, he said “Let us tell our Naga family members, particularly the underground brothers and sisters, that we have had enough bitter experiences in the past and that no more blood be shed in our land.” To recount history, the battle of Thuda at Phor Village started on August 24
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 8 (MExN): An eighty year-old woman was found charred to dead at Rangapahar Military Station, Dimapur. According to a delayed report received from sources, the incident occurred on September 6. The victim was living with her married son, who is a serving lance naik in the Indian Army, sources said.
The son resides in one of Rangapahar’s living quarters for servicemen. On September 6 at around 9:00-10:00 am, the lifeless body of the victim was reportedly found outside the living quarters. Dimapur police was informed of the incident only in the afternoon. By the time police reached the site to investigate,
the body was removed from the site and shifted to Rangapahar’s military hospital, the sources said, hampering the first phase of investigation. Police took custody of the body for post-mortem, after which it was handed over to relatives for last rites. The postmortem report is awaited, it was added.
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 8 (PTI): Acting for the first time on an election-related complaint, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended licenses of two pilots for making an unauthorized sortie in poll-bound Nagaland early this year which was intercepted by an EC team for carrying Rs. one crore cash. The DGCA has taken action on the complaint of “election expenditure monitoring” cell of EC after its surveillance team on February 16 seized the cash from a helicopter allegedly being used by a candidate of Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) after it landed at an Assam Rifles helipad in Longleng district. The cash is still in possession of the commission and the political party has recently approached a competent court to get the money released. The DGCA has found the two pilots,
Captain K N G Nair and Captain Sunil Kumar (co-pilot), in violation of air safety norms and for not possessing mandatory and valid air defense clearance (ADC) to fly on Phomching-LonglengPhomching route on the said date and also failing to report the incident to the DGCA or the local air traffic control. The Bell 412 helicopter VT-AZB operated by Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd Mumbai was on a wet lease contract with charterer King Rotors and Air Charter Private Ltd for a period of one month from February 2013. The helicopter was further hired by NPF for campaign purposes and on the day the chopper was intercepted and the cash was seized, party candidate Nyemli Phom (contesting polls from a constituency in Longleng district) was onboard. The investigation report found that the sortie between Phomching-Longleng-Phomching was al-
legedly made “without any approved flight plan and air defense clearance” which is a potent invite for an air disaster and risk to the lives of VIPs and others onboard. The EC deployed team thought this sortie was purposefully made to ferry illegal cash, and hence shot off a letter to DGCA to probe the flight operations on this specific sortie, the report said. The probe report indicts the pilots and sortie as it said that “the pilot also did not report the matter after conclusion of unauthorised/unapproved flight to Dimapur/Jorhat ATC nor to DGCA regional office or the regional controller of air safety in Kolkata.” Polls for the 60 assembly seats in Nagaland were held on February 23. The EC had asked the DGCA to probe the doubtful sortie in a letter written to air safety regulators on February 22, less than a week after the incident happened.
no
Others
Is dependency on government jobs hindering the development of naga society? Yes
59% 10%
no Others
31%
Details on page 7
QNPG UK calls for peace LONDON, SEPTEMBER 8 (MExN): The Quaker Naga Peace Group in the United Kingdom has expressed distress over growing violence among “those who describe themselves as national workers.” A press note from Martin Williams, Naga Conciliation Support Coordinator, Quaker Peace & Social Witness said the violence of the past week has been truly shocking and that all killings are contrary to Christ’s teaching, “whether they are described as assassinations, murder or capital punishment.” “All are part of a spiral of violence that is terrifying for the civilians whom it threatens and bodes ill for any hope of future peace,” it added. The note said that if Nagalim is to be for Christ, it should be recognizable as such even now. “Instead we are reminded of the words, Jesus wept,” it said. It affirmed that the achievements of 2008-2010, inspired by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation encouraged Nagas to believe in reconciliation as the restoration of a spiritual righteousness; however, it lamented, “How they must despair now.” The group appealed for all those who have committed themselves to peace to reject all violence, and to work for a just and peaceful future for the Naga people, through non violent means.
–John Updike
Nagaland Spelling Bee coming soon-Sept 25 to 27 [ PAGE 02]
UK delivered Syria chemicals needed for sarin production [ PAGE 09]
tory of Naga Nationalism. Speaking at the 3rd edition of the PSU Black Day Memorial Cup in Phor village on September 7, Patton expressed anguish over the tragedies of the 1950s and early 60s, where Nagas suffered untold hardships at the hands of the Indian army. Terming the memories as “harsh and horrifying,” he opined that despite all hardships, “our birthright and our stand of who we are as Nagas has never been curtailed.” He expressed sadness at the many instances of Nagas killing each other in the name of nationalism at a time when concerted efforts are being made to foster peace and unity. It is everyone’s responsibility, he said, to bring peace in Naga society, adding that failing to do so would mean that the struggles of the past are in vain.
Phek | September 8
Yes
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Women at Phor Village attend the 53rd commemoration of the Matikhrü incident.
when the Naga Army surrounded the Thuda outpost of the 14 Assam Rifles. On August 26, an Indian Air Force Dakota airplane bearing no. DC-3, HJ233 was shot down by the Naga Army and its crew members led by Capt. Anand Singha and 8 others members were captured at Zathsü. Outraged by the act, the Government of India un-
leashed a war that led to the people of Phor fleeing to the jungles. At the opening ceremony of the 3rd Black day Memorial Cup 2013, R. Yeteli Thurr, Chairman of the Thuda Committee explained how when the villagers could no longer survive in the jungles, their village and food burnt, they convened a general meet-
ing to set up a “peace mission,” consisted of six members. But the members were caught by the Indian army before they could bring the word of peace and tortured. When no news arrived from them, Türachu, the village chief and Pastor Yutsüchu, were sent but they were shot dead too. Phor Village observes a Martyrs’ day on September 4 to commemorate the death of their leaders. But on September 6, a worse incident was in store in the form of the Matikhrü incident. It was only when Gavin Young, a British journalist, visited the region in 1960s that news of these atrocities were transmitted to the world with a copy sent to the UNO, which recognized the Naga struggle as a genuine one. The visit to commemorate 53 years of the Matikhrü incident was also
attended by Yitachu, Parliamentary Secretary for Veterinary & AH. He stressed on the prominent role of the Pochury Nagas during the early years of the NNC and encouraged them to be proud of their history. He appealed for other Naga tribes not to forget the sacrifices of the Pochury people towards the Naga cause. Calling for peace among the National Groups, Yitachu said, “Our forefathers did not fight so that we could fight amongst each other, rather so that we could stand together and fight for the cause.” Meanwhile, Y Patton assured to do his best to approach the State Government to open a Forest beat post at Phor village which has about 20,000 acres of forest area. MLA and Chairman, MARCOFED, Mmhonlumo Kikon also attended the event.
80 year-old found burned to death inside the entrepreneurial mind: lessons from entrepreneurs Part Vi
DGCA acts upon unauthorized sortie during Nagaland elections
Akangchila Longchar
Morung Express Feature
Are you impressed by the credentials highlighted? Achen Imchen’s success has not been an easy pie. During the first year of his business, he cycled around Dimapur town in the sweltering summer heat, knocking on the doors of his first 80 customers. He was a delivery boy for newspapers back then. He started his first newspaper business with an investment of Rs 3300 from his scholarship. Achen is the eldest in the family and has a brother and a sister. Discontinuing his education after HSSLC, it was in 2003, that this young man made up his mind to make his fortune in business. His first initiation was while working in his father’s grocery store. He worked with the Angami Student Union in his area to deliver newspapers. After this, he also started to deliver the Ao Vernacular newspaper ‘Ao Milen’ in the same area. Today he runs an organized newspaper delivering agency in and around 4th mile and Diphupar area Today he has successfully managed to turn his fate around and owns several successful enterprises. Read on to know more about Achen’s business mantra. Jumpstart into the world of business: I started in the field of business at a very early stage. My father owned a grocery store
name: Achen Imchen BUSInESS PROfILE • Proprietor of LAIE Enterprises Runs a newspaper delivery service and deals in FMCG products, water treatment plants, LED lights and Lawn & Irrigation. • Co-owner of JTC company • Branch Manager of BNS Host (Dimapur), a Bangalore based web hosting website design and Development Company
Achen Imchen
and I think that was what started me to have an interest. That was ten years ago. To foray or Not: I feel that people with intent to foray into entrepreneurship should start now as I feel later it will be too competitive. This is the right time to start whatever is on people’s minds. Investment tips you should know: Entrepreneurs should invest less while starting a new venture. It is through trails and error that I’ve learned a lot. After we have learnt to mange the business, then heavy investment is advisable. The entrepreneurship decision: Parents understand more now. Come
to think of it, when I wanted to delve into the business world, my dad who owned a grocery store initially told me to study hard instead. The unattractive Factor: In my business dealings with Nagas, I’ve come to realize that verbal agreements are very prevalent and business relationships are built on verbal assurances. The Stardust Factor in Me: Singing has been a passion from very early on in my life. But now I am not able to give time. In High School I was part of an acapella band and won the Spunk Festival. I was also a finalist in Naga Idol 2006 . I had also released an album.
But right now all I do is sing for some weddings, and a few programmes here and there. Understanding the marketing factor: I wish business people would understand that without promotion, a business is hardly successful. I’ve seen so many local businesses start positively but the hype burns off because there is no one to promote these companies. I believe that marketing and trading agencies should be promoted for a thriving entrepreneurial society. Future Plans: I want to bring new technologies to Nagaland, and also export products generated in Nagaland. I want to explore several opportunities; right now I’m looking for clients outside Nagaland. Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: To be successful and to earn people’s trust and respect, one should be punctual and sincere. Know your products well and study the market. One needs to be innovative and good at financial management. Taking basic course in management is an advantage, but interest, support and experience is ultimately what’s important. With a supportive family, Achen hopes to take the business world by storm and has several ideas in the pipe line. For now, he has recruited his younger brother who has just completed his B.Com. He wraps it up by saying, “All this is because of God’s grace”.
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