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tuesDAY • April 18 • 2017
DIMAPUR • Vol. XII • Issue 104 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world In 5 years, private schools gain 17 mn students, while govt schools lose 13 mn
Building lives through carpentry
pAGe 08
o F
T R u T H
— Karl Barth
IPL: Pandey, Pathan guide KKR to 4 wicket win
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Massive student protests Nagaland Congress questions spark tension in Kashmir appointment process in Police
Srinagar, april 17 (ianS): Widespread protests by students in the Kashmir Valley on Monday heightened tensions as dozens of students and policemen were injured in clashes. The students clashed with police in Srinagar, Bandipora, Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kupwara, Kulgam and Shopian districts. The students had called for protests against Saturday’s incident in Pulwama town in which over 50 students were injured in fighting with security forces after objecting to the setting up of a security post outside the college. Security forces had entered the Pulwama college on Saturday. Students of S.P. College in Srinagar blocked the Maulana Azad Road on Monday as police used tear smoke in a bid to clear it. The students resorted to massive stone pelting at the police, resulting in injuries to the Station House Officer of Kothibagh police station and two of his guards. Three students were also injured in the clashes. Police used dozens of tear smoke shells to disperse the students who kept regrouping to engage the police on the streets. Girls from a women’s college in Srinagar also joined the protests as police battled hard to bring the situation under control. Markets in neighbour-
Points to ‘alarming appointment of non locals and underqualified candidates’ in state police department
(Left) An Indian policeman throws a tear-gas canister during a protest in Srinagar. (Right) A Kashmiri student throws a piece of stone during a protest in Srinagar April 17. (REUTERS)
ing Residency Road and Lal Chowk areas closed as tension spread. Protests and clashes also erupted between students in Pulwama town despite the authorities having ordered the closure of the college there for two days following Saturday’s incident. Students also indulged in heavy stone pelting at the security forces in Baramulla, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Dooru, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Tral and Bandipora towns. Protests took place inside the Kashmir University and the Central University here but these were peaceful. Reports said over three dozen students and two dozen security men were injured in Monday’s clashes in the Valley.
Kashmir colleges, universities to remain shut on Tuesday Colleges, universities and other higher education institutes in Kashmir will remain closed on Tuesday following the unprecedented protests by students across the valley, authorities said. All examinations scheduled for Tuesday have also been postponed, an official said. Internet facilities were also suspended on Monday to prevent uploading of pictures from the protests by youths on the social media. Restrain security forces in Kashmir: CPI The CPI on Monday called for restraining the security forces from attacking civilians in Jammu and
Kashmir to win the confidence of the people in the state, which has been rattled by a series of fresh clashes. A party statement expressed “a serious concern” over the “growing alienation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir” that it said was reflected in the lowest ever 7 per cent turnout of voters in the byelection to the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency on April 12. “The anger and frustration reflected in the boycott of election by a large number of people,” the statement said. It said the state and central governments were trying to handle the Kashmir situation as a mere law and order problem which has “worsened the situation and alienated the people in a big way”.
DiMapUr, april 17 (MExn): The Nagaland Congress today questioned the “alarming appointment of non locals and under/unqualified candidates in the Nagaland State Police Department. A press note from the party alleged that the state government is “being shifty” and accused the NPF of being “abusive over backdoor appointment, the latter even claiming that appointments were not given to non locals but only to deserving Naga youth.” “This claim is ridiculous; NPF is plainly ignorant of ground reality, particularly about appointment in Police Department,” it stated. The Nagaland Congress meanwhile furnished data, which it stated was acquired through the PHQ Office in reply to an RTI query. It revealed that from January 2009 to December 3, 2015, altogether 7005 candidates were appointed against the post of constable, NCE, ABSI, UBSI and ASI. The breakup of educational standard/qualification of these 7005 candidates, according to the data, is: MA/Equivalent: 64 (0.91%); BA/Equivalent: 610 (9%); 10+: 1381 (20%); and 0-10: 4050 (71%) (Qualification of those not specified are included here). The Nagaland Congress stated that most non-tribal appointees are in the category of Class 0-10. It informed that later, the PHQ Office gave a revised figure at 6838. “Even then, 747 Non-Locals were appointed which is 11% of total appointment,” the party pointed out. Their appointment was fourth highest (as of December 3, 2015).
It further informed that the modes of appointment, in the case of 6838 candidates were: Recruitment process: 1160 (17%); Departmental: 1672 (24%); and PHQ, Comdnt, SP etc: 4007 (59%). The Nagaland Congress noted that departmental appointments were “more of direct appointment in most battalions and units rather than through actual recruitment process.” Direct appointment might have crossed over 70% because around 71% of appointees are in the category of Class 0-10 and unquestionably they had not gone through any recruitment process, it postulated. It also informed that recently that the PHQ Office furnished information that altogether there are 23805 employees (as of October 13 2016) in the Police Department. Out of this total figure, 3418 are non-Locals, which constitute about 15% of the employees in the department. Non-locals are currently second highest employees in police department, surpassing all native tribes (except one) of Nagaland State, the party claimed. It further informed that detailed records of each battalion & unit are in the custody of the party and the stated findings “can be substantiated with further evidences, as and when need arises. The Nagaland Congress reminded that as of March 31, 2016, , 70420 young job seekers were registered in the Live Register with the Office of Employment, Skill & Entrepreneurship, Nagaland, Kohima in various categories: The included: Under Matriculate: 21033; Matriculate: 11902; Pre-University: 13025; Graduate: 19068; Post Graduate: 3795; Degree (Tech): 920; and Diploma: 67. This, the party pointed out, “is the harsh reality the state government is unwilling to address.” “NPF is not even aware, yet senselessly challenging those who have facts. Appoint-
29, 631 disabled persons in Nagaland Nagaland produced 21, 763 MT spices in 2015-16 Our Correspondent Kohima | April 17
There are about 29, 631 disabled persons in Nagaland state, with the state disability percentage at 1.5%. This was stated in the Nagaland Economic Survey 2016-17
tabled in the recent state assembly session here by Parliamentary Secretary for Economics & Statistics, Tovihoto Ayemi. The report stated that disabled students from Class A to VIII are also provided with scholarship of Rs. 200 per head per month.
Financial assistance of Rs. 200 per month is provided to needy disabled persons and totally blind Our Correspondent persons. Under IGNDPS, deservKohima | April 17 ing BPL persons with severe multiple disabilities from 18-59 years Nagaland State produced 21, 763 of age are provided with pension MT of spices during 2015-16, with of Rs. 300 per month, it added. the area used for cultivation of spices increased to 6, 578 hectares. Turmeric recorded the highest productivity with 15, 843 kg/hectare during 2015-16. This was stated in the Nagaland Economic Survey 2016-17 tabled in the recent state assembly session here by Parliamentary presence here,” the CM stated. The IMCT team comprises of Scretary for Economics & StatisJoint Secretary (Police-1) MHA, tics, Tovihoto Ayemi. A variety of spices like CardaKumar Alok as the team leader; Director, Department of Agricul- mom, Black Pepper, Turmeric and ture, Co-operation and Farmers Naga chilly are grown in Nagaland. Welfare Kolkatta, Dr. Manoharan; During 2014-15 the total area under Joint Director Department of Ex- spices was 5, 682 hectares achievpenditure, Ministry of Finance ing a production of 19, 765 MT. Delhi, SC Meena; AD (H) Department of Rural Development, Fruits and vegetables Out of the over 20 items each Delhi, Mohit Verma and Executive Engineer, Ministry of Road of fruits and vegetables grown, baTransport and Highways, Guwa- nanas and pineapples are known hati, Sachin Kumar Gautam as to have the highest productivity in members. the state. The meeting was also attendIn 2015-16, the banana fruit reed by the state Chief Secretary, corded a productivity of 15, 091 kgs/ Pankaj Kumar. Additional Chief hectare and pineapples recorded Secretary, Temjen Toy, besides 13, 781 kgs/hectare, followed by paother high ranking government paya and jackfruit with a productivofficials were also present. ity of 12, 358 kgs/hectare and 12, 332
Central team assesses flood and landslide damages in Nagaland
KOHiMa, april 17 (MExn): A five member Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) along with the Nagaland State Disaster Management Association (NSDMA) officials called on Nagaland State Chief Minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu at his residential office in Kohima today. A press note from the CMO informed that the IMCT visited the state for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the wake of floods/landslides in Nagaland during 2016. The Central team and the State Disaster Management officials briefed the Chief Minister on how the natural calamities caused damages in the state and gave a power point presentation during the meeting.
Dr. Shürhozelie expressed his gratitude to the team for taking the trouble to make the visit. He said that Nagaland is a small state but it has its fair share of problems. He mentioned that Nagaland is a resource crunch state totally dependent on the Centre, and disasters are an unexpected chapter which draw considerable amount from the state exchequer. He said the soil in Nagaland is young which makes it more landslide prone than the neighboring states. The floods in the Brahmaputra river are because of rainfall in Nagaland, he added. “The damages caused by rainfall here are often overlooked since our soils don’t retain the rain water which destroys not only our crops but also our roads. We feel encouraged by your
kgs/hectare respectively. Among the vegetables, Tapioca recorded the highest productivity with 14, 897 kg/hectare, followed by carrot and chowchow with 11, 958 kgs/hectare and 11, 923 kgs/ hectare respectively. The total acreage under cultivation of fruits and vegetables increased by 23.18% and 30.66% respectively during the period 2011-12 to 2014-15, while the production during the same period measured a percentage increase of 84.65 % and 116.40 % respectively. However, when the total area under fruits in 2015-16 showed an increase of 696 hectares over 201415, the total production showed a decline of 4, 287 MT. Similarly, the total area under vegetables showed an increase of 1, 636 hectares, and decrease in total production by 9, 723 MT during the same period. Plantation crops Meanwhile, the major plantation crops grown in Nagaland include Coconut, Arecanut, Cashewnut and Coffee. The total area under plantation crops was recorded at 4, 596 hectares in 2014-15. This increased to 4, 679 hectares in 2015-16. However, the production decreased during the same period by 269 MT.
Reliving feasts and traditions: Kerunyi festival Ketholeno Neihu Kohima | April 17
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Phesama village, Merama khel today celebrated an extravagant traditional feast, popularly known as the ‘Kerunyi’ among the Angamis as a mark towards upholding the values of traditional practices. Organized and initiated by the khel’s youth organization, they observed the need for reviving and understanding the conceptual uniqueness of Naga traditional practices. As an entity, the leaders urged the youth to live their lives well through
hardwork and sincerity, bridging oneself from immoral activities and corruption which has become rampant today. Among many other festivals and feasting of the Angami tribe, ‘Kerunyi’ coincides with the transplanting of paddy in the field. While rice plantation is labour intensive, the festival continues for three to four days. “Different ‘Pelikro’ or ‘age-sets’ relish the days with meat curry, rice beer, singing traditional songs, dancing and competing through traditional games. During rice plantation seasons, young boys and girls in the same ‘Peli’ make
rounds in every field,” Zathole, the eldest attendee shared. Vibrantly dressed in traditional attire, seventeen “Pelikro” or peer groups or age-sets from the khel participated in the festival. The peer attendees aged from 15- 60 years. A variety of indigenous food items such as pork, duck, snail, chutney etc were prepared. The festival marked its day’s conclusion with a walk of about 2 kilometers from the field to the village Morung with women leading the line followed by men singing enchanting songs or ‘keA man enjoys the feast at the ‘Kerunyi’ celebration held in Phesama village on April 17. whu’.
ment in police department is just the tip of iceberg but it speaks volume about the dirt of backdoor appointments elsewhere,” it added. It said that the state government and the NPF “as usual may still react negatively but whichever way they react, they must first give straight, no beating around the bush, answers to three vital questions: (i) Why & how non Locals are given such unacceptable size of appointment (15% of total employees) in police department by depriving that much the locals? (ii) Why around 71% appointment were given to under/unqualified candidates and only about 29% to qualified candidates during 2009 - 2015, when 50000 or more Naga educated youth are steadily rendered jobless? (iii) Why is only 17% of appointment done through open recruitment process and massive 83% through questionable departmental process & direct appointment by PHQ, Unit Commandant and SP during 2009 - 2015?” The citizens, it affirmed, “must learn the truth and react at appropriate time.” The Nagaland Congress termed it a pity that “parents invest so much on children’s education and students spend good many years for higher education but the elected government does not believe in preferential treatment for the qualified in jobs.” It further informed that the Nagaland Congress will bring out more employment related “facts & figures” to “reveal why large educated youth have become jobless due to excessive appointment of non locals, excessive direct appointment and excessive appointment of under/unqualified candidates in different government establishments.” The present government, it claimed is “not likely to reconsider the case of backdoor appointment; still then the case is placed before conscious citizens to rethink what sort of government they had elected and what they must do henceforth.”
Naga doctor drowns in Nagpur DiMapUr, april 17 (MExn): A doctor from Nagaland drowned in Gadchiroli district of Nagpur in Maharashtra during an outing with friends on April 16. The deceased, identified as Dr. L Rungcho Jami of Chudi village, Wokha was serving as Medical Officer at Bhamragarh, Maharashtra. A memorial service was held on Monday at the Government Medical College organized by NCF, Nagpur. Family sources informed that the body was flown to Delhi on Monday night. It is scheduled to reach Dimapur by flight on Tuesday afternoon. Thereafter, the deceased’s mortal remains will be taken to his parental home in Wokha where a funeral is scheduled to be held on Wednesday. Family sources said that late Dr Jami’s community service was widely known in Bhamragarh area. Bhamragarh, where he was posted is 330 km from Nagpur and the remote villagers held him in respect owing to his community service and they wanted him to continue serving in the area despite expiry of his bond agreement with the government. It was further reported that news channels were supposed to interview him within a fortnight regarding his community service.
SH withdraws April 13, 2016 resolution DiMapUr, april 17 (MExn): The Sumi Hoho in its executive meeting held on April 10 at Sumi Hoho Ki, Zunheboto reviewed its April 13, 2016 meeting resolution where one Luhevi Achumi was debarred from active participation in any of the Sumi social organizations for a period of 6 years with effect from the month of April 2016. A press note from the Sumi Hoho informed that as a respect to the request of the Western Sumi Hoho to withdraw the resolution, the Hoho, after thorough deliberation, has withdrawn the April 13, 2016 Executive Meeting Resolution.
NSCN (R) demands release of cadres DiMapUr, april 17 (MExn): The NSCN (R) today issued a statement coming down heavily on what it alleged was the “ghastly act of NSCN (IM) detention of its cadres without any rhyme and reason, when the Nagas were yearning for peace and unity amongst the various sections of Naga society.” A press note from the MIP of the NSCN (R) stated that it would not tolerate such incidents anymore and further demanded unconditional release of its cadres in order to create a congenial and peaceful atmosphere among the groups, peoples and society at large and in the interest of the Naga peoples as well. It further appealed to the NSCN (IM) to “abstain from such unwanted activities considering the fragile Naga political situation at hand.” It reminded the NSCN (IM) that NSCN (R) “would not remain mute spectator, but will act accordingly, where the NSCN (IM) should be held accountable should there be any unwanted situation.”