April 18th, 2016

Page 1

C M Y K

C M Y K

www.morungexpress.com

MonDAY • APRIL 18 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 105 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped Myanmar president frees 83 political prisoners PAGE 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Yes

no

others

Should the Nagaland State government have an independent review on the merits and demerits of the Prohibition Act?

o F

T R u T H

— Tony Robbins

CM’s justification on NFSA unfair: NVCO

Rosberg wins Chinese GP for sixth straight victory

PAGE 02

PAGE 12

earthquake kills 233 in ecuador, devastates coast zone

MANTA, AprIl 17 (reuTers): The death toll from Ecuador’s biggest earthquake in decades soared to at least 233 on Sunday as rescuers using tractors and bare hands hunted desperately for survivors in shattered coastal towns. The 7.8 magnitude quake struck off the Pacific coast on Saturday and was felt around the Andean nation of 16 million people, causing panic as far away as the highland capital Quito and collapsing build“Today i can have my car ings and roads in a swath of for twenty minutes? YAY.. Today i don’t have to worry western towns. President Rafael Corabout auto fare!!” rea, rushing home from a trip to Italy, said the number of fatalities jumped on Sunday to 233. “The immediate priority is to rescue people in the rubble,” he said via Twitter. “Everything can be rebuilt, but lives cannot be recovCITIZEN UMBRELLA ered, and that’s what hurts Wholesalers may contact the most.” CITIZEN UMBRELLA MANUFACTURER LTD. More than 1,500 people H.O.: 147, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata-7 Ph. No. 033-2268-1396, 2271-2152 were injured, authorities Fax : (033) 2271-2151 E-mail : citizenkolkata@gmail.com said. Coastal areas nearest the quake were worst afThe Morung Express fected, especially PedernaPoll QuEsTion les, a rustic tourist spot with Vote on www.morungexpress.com beaches and palm trees, sMs your answer to 9862574165 which appeared largely flattened. Has Prohibition Act in Nagaland State led to any positive behavioral and social change?

P o W e R

higher ground,” Solorzano said, speaking in a trembling voice on a WhatsApp phone call. “The streets are cracked. The power is out and phones are down.” Parts of Quito were without power or phone service for several hours, but the city government said those services had been restored and there were no reports of casualties in the city.

“There are people trapped in various places, and we are starting rescue operations,” Vice President Jorge Glas said on Sunday morning before boarding a plane to the area. A state of emergency was declared in six provinces. Authorities said there had been 163 aftershocks, mainly in the Pedernales area. PEDERNALES ‘DESTROYED’ One photo on social media purporting to be the entrance to Pedernales showed a torn-up road with a crushed car in the middle and people standing behind. Local TV station Televicentro broadcast images from Pedernales showing locals using a small tractor to remove rubble and also searching with their hands for people buried underneath. Women cried after a corpse was pulled out. Locals said children were trapped. One man begged for help: “Pedernales is destroyed.” Many people spent the night on the streets. In Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, rubble lay in the streets and a bridge

Power lines were cut off and homes sent crashing to the ground in the capital Quito. (REUTERS)

fell on top of a car. “It was horrible, it was as if it was going to collapse like cardboard,” said Galo Valle, 56, who was guarding a building in the city where windows fell out and parts of walls broke. “I prayed and fell to my feet to ask God to protect me.”

AcAUt asks nagaland govt to act on fund misappropriation in f&cs

DIMApur, AprIl 17 (MexN): The ACAUT has called upon the Nagaland State government to look into the cases Yes 70% of financial anomalies in the state Food no 20% & Civil Supplies department. The ACAUT others 10% in a representation to Ram Vilas Paswan, Details on page 7 Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, demanded that the state government be made to act upon the Rs. 402 misappropriation in the Food & Civil Supplies department as reported by the Comptroller and Auditor DIMApur, AprIl 17 General. Till such time the state govern(MexN): The All Adivasi ment initiates legal proceedings against Students’ Association of the reported cases of fund misappropriaAssam (AASAA) has called for a 12-hour bandh starting from 6 am on April 16. The bandh called in protest against the killing of our Correspondent 11 persons at Pengeri in Kohima | April 17 Tinsukia is expected to be observed intensely in up- The adult HIV prevalence in Nagaland per Assam districts of Go- has come down from 0.98% during 2007 laghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, to 0.78% in 2015 as per India HIV estimaDibrugarh Dhemaji, Lakh- tion 2015. Some commonly prevalent disimpur and Tinsukia. In this eases which burden the State today are connection, the Mang- communicable diseases such as Malaria, kolemba Sub-Divisional TB, viral infection, urinary tract infection, Administration has issued respiratory tract infection, gestroenteritis, travel advisory to commut- typhoid, hepatitis, helminthiasis etc. ers travelling to and from “With the changing of lifestyle, hyperMon, Longleng, Tuensang tension, cardiovasular diseases, diabetMokokchung and Dima- ics and cancer etc have also become quite pur districts to avoid us- prevalent,” revealed the Annual Adminising these routes during the trative Report 2015-16 of Health & Family bandh period. Welfare Department. The report stated that

Assam bandh today

tion, the ACAUT in the letter handed over to Paswan said that the Union Ministry should extend no support and allocation. The ACAUT in the letter further called for “fool-proof” implementation of the National Food Security Act and adopt measures on the lines of the process implemented in Puducherry and Chandigarh. In the two union territories, subsidy benefit (money) is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s account through the ‘Direct Benefit System’ linked to AADHAR. On the implementation of the NFSA, the ACAUT felt that it would go a long way in controlling pilferage “as is happening under the PDS.”

Adult HIV prevalence decreases in Nagaland

the Department is responsible for providing basic health care to its people by enhancing infrastructure, manpower, logistic and capacity building as envisaged in 11th and 12th year plans. To address all these deficiencies the department is planning to accelerate infrastructure strengthening and development of manpower by establishing medical institute and medical college. At the time of statehood in 1963, the department started with handful of doctors and nurses and inherited rudimentary health infrastructure. “Now the infrastructure has increased to 11 district hospitals, 2 chest disease & TB hospitals, 1 state mental health institute, 21 CHCs, 126 PHCs and 409 sub-centres with a total of 2, 233 hospital beds,” the report stated.

Don’t pass on the naga issue to the future: cM

loNgleNg, AprIl 17 (MexN): Chief Minister, TR Zeliang has reiterated his stance on the Naga political imbroglio calling for a concerted effort to solve the problem soon rather than passing it on to future generations. The Chief Minister’s Office, Kohima in a press release stated that Zeliang in his address at the Phom People’s Council’s Silver Jubilee celebrations at Longleng on April 16 stated, “If the Naga political problem is allowed to linger on” more political groups might crop up and compound the issue. “At present, we have five NNC groups and four NSCN groups whose goals are the same, but it is difficult to bring them together to present a single voice and opinion to the Government of India.” According to the CMO’s press release, the sole idea behind the 60 legislators of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly coming together under one banner was to facilitate an early solution. “When erstwhile political opponents can come together for the cause of the Naga problem, why

can’t the Naga political groups come together? Why can’t all sections of the Naga society come together…?” Maintaining that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is genuinely determined to come to a solution, the release recalled Modi’s positive reaction to the state Parliamentary Working Committee’s visit to Delhi in July 2015. The PM was impressed that representatives of the tribes of Nagaland had come together for the cause of the Naga people and assured the PWC that a formula would be worked out taking into consideration all the views and aspiration of the Naga people to work out an early solution acceptable and honourable to all. The state government convening a meeting of six Naga Political Groups in March was all part of the agenda to solve the Naga problem, Zeliang said, adding criticising the legislators “as blindly supporting the Framework Agreement without knowing the contents” is not fair. The sending of a delegation of the Naga Hoho and the East-

ern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation to meet SS Khaplang was also to convey the message that the GoI and the NSCN-K should re-enter into ceasefire. “We are not supporting or opposing any group, but we are working for the interest of all the Nagas,” the Chief Minister said. On the PWC meeting political leaders in Delhi, the release said that the intention is to aid the process by briefing them on the history and uniqueness of the Nagas. It further cited Congress president, Sonia Gandhi’s comment on the Framework Agreement that she would support it “if it was good for the Nagas, the Northeast and the nation.” “For the first time in many years, civil societies such as NSF, ENSF, NMA, Naga Hoho and the ENPO have come together to work out an early solution. The Naga political problem can be solved only through the active participation of all sections of the society including Church organisations,” the CM stated.

About 13,500 security force personnel were mobilized to keep order around Ecuador, and $600 million in credit from multilateral lenders was immediately activated for the emergency, the government said. Ramon Solorzano, 46, a car parts merchant in the

coastal city of Manta, headed away from built-up areas with his family. Photos from Manta showed Red Cross workers arriving, police hunting through debris, a smashed sculpture and badly damaged buildings. “Most people are out in the streets with backpacks on, heading for

WORST QUAKE IN 37 YEARS The government called it the worst quake in the country since 1979. In that disaster, 600 people were killed and 20,000 injured, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In international aid, Venezuela, Chile and Mexico were sending personnel and supplies, the Correa government said. A tsunami warning was lifted on Saturday night, but coastal residents were urged to seek higher ground in case tides rise. “At first it (the quake) was light, but it lasted a long time and got stronger,” said Maria Jaramillo, 36, a resident of Guayaquil, describing windows breaking and pieces falling off roofs. “I was on the seventh

floor and the light went off in the whole sector, and we evacuated. People were very anxious in the street. ... We left barefoot.” The OPEC member country said oil production was not affected, but closed its main refinery of Esmeraldas, located near the epicenter, as a precaution. Residents on the Galapagos islands far off Ecuador’s coast, which are home to numerous rare species, said they had not been affected by the quake, though they were anxious. The Ecuadorean quake followed two large and deadly quakes that struck Japan since Thursday. Both countries are located on the seismically active “Ring of Fire” that circles the Pacific, but according to the U.S. Geological Survey large quakes separated by such long distances would probably not be related. “Even the earth’s rocky crust is not rigid enough to transfer stress efficiently over thousands of miles,” it said on its website. Quakes can cause other big quakes within a range of hundreds of miles, but can cause only small, brief quakes at a distance of thousands of miles, it said.

ANCSU reminds CM on NSEE selection

DIMApur, AprIl 17 (MexN): Accusing the Nagaland State Government of “absolute negligence” towards the welfare of the students’ community, ANCSU today reminded the Chief Minister TR Zeliang to look into the burning issues of the technical education department and solve it “once and for all”. The Union, on March 29, had submitted a letter to the Chief Minister stating its non acceptance of the Government Notification on

March 16 that made certain changes in eligibility criteria for seat in NSEE state reserved quota. Among other things, the notification said that category III for selection includes those candidates who are non-local indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland and children of nonlocal state government employees and children of All India Service Officers borne on Nagaland cadre. Expressing its shock and dismay, the Union had

said that the reviewing and cabinet approval of the eligibility criteria of category III was beyond its limited understanding. This is a great concern for the students’ career, said the All Nagaland College Students’ Union in a press statement issued through its President, Zhoku Thuluo and General Secretary Benjong Longchar. However, ANCSU said that Chief Minister of Nagaland has not replied to the ANCSU till date, which

shows the absolute negligence of the state government for the students’ community, it said. In this connection, the ANCSU has called upon all the intending candidates of Nagaland State Entrance Examination [(NSEE) state reserved quota], parents, well wishers, social activists, ANCSU senior leaders and concerned citizens for a consultative meeting on April 19 at the LCS building, conference hall, Kohima (Near Ao Church) at 11:00 am.

nltP Act: time for a review? Morung Poll result questions its continuity Morung Express news Dimapur | April 17

Was the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989 an act implemented at the spur of the moment destined for failure? Conversely, does it need reviewing? An overwhelming majority of respondents to a poll has called for an outright review. Last week, a poll conducted by The Morung Express asked: Should the Nagaland State government have an independent review on the merits and de-merits of the Prohibition Act? Why? 70 percent of the respondents said ‘Yes’ while 20 percent were against it; 10 percent respondents were ambivalent. A closer scrutiny of those responding ‘No’ or ‘Other’ revealed that they were not against the review per se, but were only skeptical about the ability of the government to hold an honest and independent review, just like the Act under purview. The NLTP Act 1989 was enacted in the State following the demand of the Church bodies to declare Nagaland as “dry state,” though many are of the opinion that it is one of the “wettest states” in the country. Is prohibition complete failure? It’s no secret prohibition has neither controlled the sale nor consumption of alcohol, but resulted only in the proliferation of bootlegging and spurious products taking a toll on the ‘health’ of the State as well as its citizens. Most recently, a present Naga legislator who was a part of the Government that implemented the NLTP Act

admitted to a news agency that “The Act was a mistake and a folly,’’ further implying that it was done without any pragmatism or an in-depth study. “We only helped the bootleggers of Assam and cash-starved Nagaland lost huge revenue,” he added. “The truth is that it is not working in Nagaland, but no one wants to point is out because they are afraid of being morally judged by the Church,” a reader commented. “In fact it should be the church that should come out openly and demand that the Government have an independent review of the Prohibition Act.” Others accused Government and other entities of turning a ‘blind eye’ to an open reality. “Why ban and let the public die of bootlegged liquor when it is available as common as a mineral water,” justified another. A review is the only sane and logical step that the State government can make. Having a law that’s only good on paper is redundant, some readers pointed out. Review: A futile exercise Most of the readers voting against a review did so questioning the Government’s ability to conduct an impartial enquiry. “An independent neutral body to come up with a report that shows the real situation is unlikely,” a reader said, adding that such report would be hijacked by those who want the Prohibition Act to continue. Others answering ‘No’ to the question said such exercise would be futile and a complete “waste of time.” “So far none of the judicial inquiry committees have resulted in any pos-

itive outcome. It is a farce,” a reader elaborated. However, a minority of the respondent called for streamlining the present Prohibition Act attributing the failures to “enforcing agencies.” “Itisanindicationoffailureofimplementing mechanism, corruption and the lack of determination to do what needs to be done,” a reader posted. Who will bell the cat? Readers who answered ‘Other’ also chose to look at the paradoxical situation brought about by the prohibition. It is funny because those who are for prohibition can continue to proudly say Nagaland is a dry state where alcohol is impossible, while those who are against prohibition know exactly where to buy it. It’s a win-win situation, a reader responded cheekily. Some wondered whether Nagas have the ability to take things in moderation. “By all means lift prohibition so that good quality alcohol becomes available at rather than the sub-standard stuff that is sold in black market. But question of responsible drinking will still remain,” another reader stated. Overall, the poll suggested that perhaps time is ripe seriously to examine the merits and de-merits of the Prohibition Act in the State. The question is how? One cannot deny that there should be review of Prohibition which has been there in Nagaland for more than 20 years, a reader maintained, but who will bell the cat? “Everyone knows it but no one is willing to admit it.” Poll result on page 7


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.