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tuesDAY • APRIL 19 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 106 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you Ecuador quake death toll rises to 350 PAGe 09
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
‘Inspiration’ initiative to motivate students launched
7-day ultimatum for broadening of NH-155
IMPHAL, APRIL 18 (IANS): The North Eastern states, reeling under heavy downpour, will receive more rain and witness hailstorms in the next two days, the Met Office said on Monday. Over 400 houses, government offices and other facilities were damaged in Mizoram as a result of rains and strong wind in the past few days. On Sunday, over 20 houses were damaged in Tamenglong district of Manipur. However, there was no casualty. There have been rains and hailstorm in some other districts in Manipur also. Officials told IANS on Monday that information is being collected from remote areas about the damage to houses and standing crops. The government will consider payment of compensations and relief materials only after the full reports in this regard are received. The 110-km-long Imphal-Myanmar TransAsian highway was badly damaged during the January 4 earthquake that measured 6.8 on the Richter scale. The weather office said Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya will be worst hit in the rains and thunderstorms, accompanied by hail, that have been forecast for the next two days.
Dipa Karmakar Creates History, First Indian Woman Gymnast to Qualify for Olympics PAGE 12
Kohima: old secretariat GPrn/nscn & Goi deemed unsafe building extends ceasefire
Fake certificate for job? How many do I have to buy. Huh? I’ve been buying you certificate since you were in class II!
Rain, hailstorm forecast for NE
T R u T H
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
PAGE 02
Occupants asked to move out immediately
DIMAPUR, APRIL 18 (MExN): Office of the Action Plan Committee (APC), Longkhim/Chare has given a seven-day ultimatum to the Nagaland Chief Minister to begin the construction of the road broadening of National Highway 155 from Mokokchung-Tuensang. An open letter addressed to the Chief Minister TR Zeliang pointed out that even after clearing initial necessities such as survey for road broadening; erecting of pillars for demarcation, clearance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the villagers (in 2014), cutting down of trees along the highway, the road in question was still lying unattended and work yet to commence. Owing to negligence of road maintenance, the people of Tuensang district have been suffering untold miseries, the Committee said while pointing out that in the last 10 years, the said road was repaired only once by local contractors. It has therefore implored upon the Chief Minister to immediately initiate the work and fulfill the rights of the people of Tuensang district as per Article 275 of the Indian Constitution. The Committee also warned that it would be compelled to initiate indefinite road blockage from April 28, 2016 onwards if their appeal is not complied with.
o F
A view of old secretariat building in Kohima.
Our Correspondent Kohima | April 18
The Old Secretariat Building, opposite Congress Bhavan is all set to be declared as “unsafe building” for human habitation. This building is presently occupied by RMSA, Land Records & Survey department, Taxes and ECHS Polyclinic. Expressing concern over the dilapidated condition, a decision regarding the same was taken during a meeting of the Administrative Heads of Department (AHODs) and Heads of Departments (HODs) held here today. After hearing the verification report from the Allotment Committee for
the rooms of the Old Secretariat Building, the meeting came into conclusion that the occupants of this building have to vacate it with “immediate effect” and look for alternative arrangement. The committee’s report had highlighted crumbling ceiling as well as buckling columns and structure in the building rendering it unstable and unsafe for habitation. In this regard, the Chief Secretary of the State, Pankaj Kumar directed the housing section of the concern departments to make alternative arrangement within a week time and move out from the Old Secretariat.
Considering the matter seriously, Home Commissioner Neihu C. Thur also said that it was unsafe to remain and work in the old structure and the need for relocation.
Discontinuation of flower supply to civil secretariat
Meanwhile, the meeting also reviewed its last meeting minute on discontinuation of flower supply to Nagaland Civil secretariat. The AHODs and HODs, at its last meeting on February 19, had resolved to discontinue flower in the Nagaland civil secretariat supply from April 1, 2016 as an ‘austerity measure.’ It is learnt that around Rs. 10-
15 lakh is spent annually on such arrangement. At today’s meeting, some officers batted for its continuity citing its aesthetic and sensual benefits while other articulated instead for granting seed money to Nagaland Flower Growers Society so that they can do landscaping and grow flower as per season in the civil secretariat. They also stressed on the need to improve the quality of dilevery but no final decision was taken on this regard. Earlier, a paper presentation on biometric attendance system in the civil secretariat was made by K.D. Vizo, Commissioner& Secretary for Information Technology & Communication Department. Consequently, the Chief Secretary urged all concern to cultivate the habit of using the system to improve attendance and work culture. The meeting also discussed on changed dispensation under the NITI Aayog, new pension scheme, attendance of AHODs and HODs at state function/assembly session, austerity measures, National Electoral Rolls Purification (NERP) 2016 drive among others matters. A presentation on Nagaland Rural Bank was also given at the meeting.
NEW DELHI, APRIL 18 (IANS): The GPRN/NSCN, one of the strongest factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, on Monday extended its ceasefire with the Indian government for another year, but made it clear that it won’t be joining the Naga peace accord as the pact is an understanding between the government and the NSCN-IM. The GPRN/NSCN said the ongoing peace process was not suitable or acceptable comprehensively for the other Naga stakeholders. The move may come as a jolt to the Indian government, which has been trying to bring all the factions of the NSCN onboard the peace accord inked between the government and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) on August 3, 2015. “The GPRN/NSCN, under the leadership of Khitovi Zhimomi and Gen. Neokpao Konyak, has fundamentally agreed in principle to bring about lasting and meaningful peace in Nagaland with the Naga People. “Therefore, we cannot simply jump into the present arrangement, which is the Naga peace process, since we have also entered into a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the government with unique political dispersions and unique political dimensions,” Jack Zhimomi, supervisor of the GPRN/ NSCN ceasefire supervi-
NSCN-R extends ceasefire with GoI for another year
NSCN-Reformation has extended its ceasefire agreement with the Government of India (GoI) for another year with effect from April 28, 2016, ie, till April 27, 2017 to being about a lasting peace in the State of Nagaland with the involvement of Naga people. The Agreement stated that the Ceasefire will be subject to adherence to the Ceasefire Ground Rules as and mutually agreed by the two sides, which will be subject to mutual review and amendment with the involvement of both the parties. A copy of the ceasefire extension with signature appended by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, North East Division, and Imlongnukshi Chang, Supervisor, CFSB and Kavishe Sumi, member, NSCN (R) was made available to the media on Monday. sory board, told IANS. The GPRN/NSCN and NSCN (Reformation) extended the ceasefire with the Indian government in the presence of senior home ministry officials in Delhi. Separate meetings were held with the factions. According to the agreement of the ceasefire extension, a copy of which is with IANS, the ceasefire has been extended till April 27, 2017. “Government of India and GPRN/NSCN have mutually decided to extend the ceasefire agreement with affect from April 28, 2016 for a period of one more year i.e. April 27, 2017 to bring about a lasting peace in the state of Nagaland with the involvement of Naga people,” reads the agreement which was appended by Jack Zhimomi
and Chenyim Konyak of the GPRN/NSCN and Satyendra Garg, who is Joint Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, North East Division. On their new decision, Zhimomi said that as the government was already involved in a peace process with the NSCN-IM, it was “impossible” for the other stakeholders to join the process. “For the past many years, the present arrangement (peace process) is exclusively in parlance with one particular group (NSCN-IM) and not others. So therefore, what I feel is that the term inclusive, which the government is referring to as far as the Naga accord is concerned, is neither tenable nor applicable,” said Zhimomi.
‘Kohima is geologically Nagaland launches ‘Ambassador for Girl Child’ unstable and vulnerable’ Our Correspondent Kohima | April 18
• NSDMA Report of Terrain Stability Study of Kohima Town released • Rapid urbanization, haphazard developments had deteriorated diversely the stability of the terrain Our Correspondent Kohima | April 18
Kohima town has been experiencing rapid urbanization and haphazard developments with little planning and such activities had deteriorated diversely the stability of the terrain. This requires systematic and comprehensive assessment of factors promoting instability such as topography, lithology, geological structures, hydrology, land use and land cover, soils, rainfall and anthropogenic activities, which collectively causes slope instability, according to a report of Terrain Stability Study of Kohima Town by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA). The field study shows that the major triggering factors of instability are anthropogenic activity and excessive rainfall received during the monsoon. It stated that the overloading of slopes or removal of slope support by human interference is a prime concern for slope failure in many areas. “Thus, keeping in view the vulnerability of landslide and seismic activities, proper planning and regulation with strict enforcement of building byelaw would be helpful for planners and administrators to visualize the concept of safety structures and for safer habitant,” the report stated. Terrain instability caused by landslide, subsidence etc in the state capital Kohima were mostly observed to be occurring within settlement areas, induced naturally or by anthropogenic activities, the report stated. Some observations made in the report on the instability of Kohima were construction of roads and buildings without adequate slope structure; inadequate surface and sub-surface drainage in colonies /wards of Kohima town and random obstruction of drainages, poor maintenance of natural drainages, random erection of buildings without site investigation in previous landslide areas and without following proper technical specifications,
no proper building/infrastructure development code for regulation, random increase of overhead load pressure (storied buildings) in steep slope etc. Nagaland Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar who released the report in book format on Monday said the study is the result of an investigation carried out by NSDMA during 2014-15 to determine the factors responsible for terrain instability and to map stability zones and hazard zones on GIS platform. In the foreword of the report, the Chief Secretary pointed out that “Kohima, the state capital, is geologically unstable and vulnerable to disasters such as landslide and earthquake.” He said the report marks a “milestone in the journey in preparing Kohima town for taking effective measures against vulnerability to disasters.” Maintaining that the study enables identification of vulnerable zones for land use planning, design early warning systems, and initiate mitigation measures in unstable zones or landslide prone areas, the Chief Secretary noted that the report would be useful for identifying sustainable areas for development in future and taking steps to reduce vulnerability of areas developed. He was also hopeful that the study report would help in enhancing “our preparedness to counter hazards by paving the way for informed and effective decision making at micro and macro levels for developmental and regulatory activities in the state.” Kekhriezavi Lea, geologist at NSDMA, Home Department said terrain stability study of Kohima town was carried out within the constraints of slope pattern, geo-factors, anthropogenic activities land-use/land cover and hydrological conditions. Inherent adverse geological conditions and ecosystem of the hilly terrain cause instability of the area, he said. The geologist said the report would be helpful for planners and regulators for planning purposes in various developmental activities in the state capital. It would also help in dovetailing building codes with the substandard man-made and natural instability of the terrain for mitigating systematically the natural hazards pursuant to the “react-to-known” hazard principle, he added.
Nagaland today launched the “Ambassador for Girl Child” under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP). Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar launched the girl child campaign during the Administrative Heads of Department and Heads of Departments meeting here at Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima. The Chief Secretary also became the first ambassador of the campaign in Nagaland to support a Girl Child for her education. It may be recalled that BBBP was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015. The overall goal of the program is to celebrate the
Girl Child & enable her education. In Nagaland, Longleng district has been identified as one of the gender critical districts with its child Sex ratio at 885 girls per 1000 boys, according to 2011 census. The Ambassador for Girl Child is an innovation of the Nagaland state BBBP and the concept revolves around under privileged girls who are unable to avail quality education. As an Ambassador, one not only contributes towards their education but give a Girl Child the chance to live a better life, also become a gender champion. “Through this act we ask every parent to give another parent a helping hand; to give a daughter the op-
portunity to fulfill her dreams. Let’s make the opportunity to education accessible for all,” a leaflet stated.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Speak about the importance of the Girl Child and her education on every relevant platform • Include the Girl Child logo in all printing materials, IECs to raise awareness • Through the “Ambassador Scholarship,” AHODs and HODs of various departments will have the opportunity to support a Girl Child in achieving her dreams and aspirations a reality. • Any individual can volunteer for the “Ambassador Scholarship”
Union Minister sees ‘unity in diversity’ in the Mithun
Dr. Harsh Vardhan visit Mithun Farm at Jharnapani Inaugurate DBT-funded ‘Biotech Infrastructure Facility’ Morung Express News Dimapur | April 18
Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Science, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, today said the majestic ‘Mithun’ (bros frontalis), the emblem of Nagaland state, has the potential to touch every Naga household – economically and emotionally. The Union Minister said the Mithun could as well become not only the symbol of the Naga people but exemplify the ‘unity in diversity’ that is India and help in strengthening the bond-ship between different communities in the country. On his maiden tour to Nagaland, the Union Minister first visited the ‘Mithun Farm’ at ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Jharnapani and
Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Science, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, and other dignitaries during his visit to Mithun Farm at ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Jharnapani, Monday. (Morung Photo)
later inaugurated the DBTfunded ‘Biotech Infrastructure Facility’ at ICAR-NRC on Mithun complex. At the Biotech Infrastructure Facility inaugural function, Vardhan in his address confessed that during his visit to the Mithun Farm, he developed a sort of “emotional bondship” with the Mithun, which he had seen for the first time.
He said Science and modern technology have the potential to solve myriad unsolved problems in the country including health care, especially women and children, and mitigate the plight of farmers. Within Science, life science or biotechnology can improve the quality of life of the citizens, he said. The Union minister ex-
pressed optimism that the biotech infrastructure facility would not only boost research in Mithun rearing and protection but also go a long way in uplift of the rural economy. Lauding the research and allied activities of ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Vardhan said the Mithun ‘rasgola’ he tasted for the first time was the best ‘rasgola’ he had eaten in his life. Towards this end, the Union minister assured that he would promptly look into the request of ICAR-NRC on Mithun for setting up of rasgola manufacturing unit. Vardhan said he would discuss the matter with Nagaland Governor and chief minister and also request the Union Agriculture minister to visit ICAR-NRC on Mithun so that the latter could also see the potential of Mithun. Advisor, DBT, New Delhi, Dr. T Madhan Mohan, also addressed the gathering. Earlier, director, ICARNRC on Mithun, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, delivered the welcome address.