April 19th, 2017

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

www.morungexpress.com

WednesdAY • April 19 • 2017

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

Committing a great truth to memory is admirable; committing it to life is wisdom

pAGe 08

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

T R u T H

— William A. Ward

Nagaland Prohibition of Child Marriage Rules drafted

Mallya arrested in London, gets bail

o F

John Terry to leave Chelsea at end of the season

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nagaland: crisis in education sector deepens 532 vacant primary teacher Almost 2/3rd of the youth dropping out of schools posts can be filled by us: ANPSTA Morung Express News

which indicated around 14,000 drop- teacher posts to other subject teacher post. outs between Class IX and Class X. Further, the minister said the The Minister said because of this, Nagaland Minister for School Educa- number of drop out students be- in many schools, there are no Math tion and SCERT, Yitachu, today said tween Class X and Class XII stood and Science teachers. “This is killNaga society faces a huge challenge at 6,742, making the total number of ing our future. Now the government has decided to freeze all posts of in the form of unprecedented graduate teachers till the posts of number of school dropouts. “Al- • 13,480 dropouts between Math and Science teachers are most two-thirds of our youth are Class II and Class IX reverted to the original posts,” school dropouts. How can our • 14,000 dropouts between Yitachu said. society progress with only one Class IX and Class X The Minister said most of the third of students who are able to clear the secondary level?” Yita- • Govt addressing lack of Math affairs in the State be it education, and Science teachers politics or religion are in a mess chu asked. because Naga people have failed Addressing the 8th graduation ceremony of Faith Theological dropout students between Class II to fear the Lord in the first place. “We College (FTC) here at Town Hall, the and Class XII more than 36,000 out fear our friends, family, villagers, and tribes and so on but we don’t fear Education minister said the edu- of 49,480. The Minister said this dismal God. As Christians, we should put cation system in the State has gone wrong and stressed on the need to statistic implied that annually two- the fear of the Lord in the first place. third of students become dropouts. Unless we do that, our society will not take corrective measures. Giving latest statistics, the Minis- Yitachu said there are a number of progress or change,” he said. Earlier, auxiliary secretary, Bible ter said the enrolment of Class II stu- factors contributing to the drop out dents stood at 49,480 as against en- phenomenon including the non- Society of India, Dimapur, Rev. Dr. ZK rolment of 36,000 students in Class detention policy not been imple- Rochill, delivered the commenceIX, indicating 13,480 drop outs be- mented in the State of Nagaland. ment address. Founder principal of tween Class II and Class IX. Again the He however said one major factor is FTC, Rev. Dr. S Gangte, officiated the enrolment in Class X stood at 22,214, the conversion of Math and Science ‘charge to the graduates’. Dimapur | April 18

Dimapur, april 18 (mExN): The All Nagaland Pre-Service Teacher Association (ANPSTA) has stated today that the 532 vacant primary teacher posts in Nagaland State can be filled by teachers who are part of the Association, having passed the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) examinations conducted in the year 2013 and 2016. It is a “fundamental right” and a “legitimate expectation” that they be considered We have unearthed so for the posts in lieu of their “seniority” as much any idea how dis- well as “merit,” stated the ANPSTA in a reppose them off resentation to the Minister, School Education Department, the Commissioner & Secretary to the Department and the Director of the Department. In the event that the representation is not considered by the said authority in 30 days, the ANPSTA stated that its members would “seek the redressal of our grievance before an appropriate court of law.” The representation was sent on behalf of ANPSTA members from Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek & Peren districts, and signed by its President, Obed Yhobu.

PWD (NH) assures work on NH 2 within three months Dimapur, april 18 (mExN): The Department of Works & Housing and PWD (National Highways) today committed itself to commence 2-Laning works of National Highway 61 (New NH - 2) “at the earliest but not exceeding three months” with effect from April 17. The commitment was made during a meeting between Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho and officers of Works & Housing and PWD (NH), Government of Nagaland in presence of the DC, Wokha, on April 17 in Wokha. The meeting was held following an ultimatum served to the State Government by the two apex tribal bodies for immediate commencement of works on NH -2 in Tseminyu and Wokha Sectors. The Hoho leaders, during the meeting, expressed their concern and the inconveniences faced by the general public and road users due to non implementation of the road project while the Department’s officials also shared their views regarding the technical procedures that need to be followed before going ahead with the work. After deliberation, the Department committed that it “will commence the work at the earliest but not exceeding 3(three) months with effect from 17.04.20I7,” stated a press release appended by the Commissioner & Secretary, Works & Housing, government of Nagaland and the Chief Engineer PWD (NH), Nagaland.

Freezing posts The problem seems to arise from a notification issued by the Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Department of School Education, that states, in part, that, “Posts falling vacant due to retirement, death, resignation, termination etc with effect from 1st May 2013 will be freezed. Such posts will be transferred to the deficit schools till such time the required Pupil Teacher Ratio (25:1) is attained in all schools in Nagaland.” The ANPSTA noted that “freezing of such appointments for almost four years have resulted in the denial of education to so many children within the state literally killing the education of the future generation of our state.” Further the Association has maintained that such freezing of appointment of teachers is “illegal, arbitrary and capricious infringing upon the sacrosanct fundamental rights as well as other constitutional rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India.” Even the condition to the above notification, that recruitment of teachers shall be made through the Teacher Eligibility Deep education crisis Despite previous appeals for recruit- Test, “has not been fulfilled till date,” stated ment of TET qualified primary teachers, the ANPSTA. the ANPSTA stated that the Nagaland State Government has taken no action leading Infringement of rights The Association cited the Directive to a “deep education crisis” in the State, extrapolated by nil results in HSLC examina- Principle of State Policy contained in Artions in 24 government schools in 2014, 38 ticle 45 of the Constitution of India and noted that by not appointing primary in 2015 and 30 in 2016. That there are 532 primary teacher teachers, the Nagaland State Government posts lying vacant in the State indicates has failed to live up to constitutional guarthat many schools in Nagaland are suffer- antees towards free and compulsory eding from a shortage of primary teachers ucation for all children till 14 years of age that can adversely affect the overall stan- which, in turn, infringes upon the right to dard of education, as well as the literacy life itself. The State Government’s actions, the rate of the State. Meanwhile, the State has a rule that ANPSTA noted, is also in “contravention all appointment of teachers shall be filled of the provisions of the provisions of the only by those who have qualified TET Right of Children to Free and Compulsory based on merit, thereby making the teach- Education Act, 2009 which was enacted ers associated with the ANPSTA eligible to with a goal to achieve universal elementary education.” fill the posts.

RMSA teachers compelled to boycott classes Morung Express News Kohima | April 18

Following the failure of the government to pay their salary for six months, the Nagaland Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NRMSATA) is currently on a three day boycott of classes starting from April 17 to 19 as part of its first phase agitation. The delay in the payment of salary affects more than 1000 teachers in Nagaland State’s government schools. For the past six months, the Association has had more than five meetings with the concerned authorities

Capital. The third phase, ‘a last resort’ according to Patton, will be a sit in protest. With the first term examinations beginning in the first week of May, the Association has expressed apprehension on the agitation which will impact the students. Moreover, Patton stated that the RMSA teachers also deals with Class X students which is a grave concern since Class X is one of the most crucial stages for a student that decides the career options of the child. “If we fail to produce better results, it will affect the future education prospects of the students,” said Patton.

GoI extends ceasefire with NSCN (R), GPRN/ Indigenous minority tribes of Nagaland State NSCN; holds review meeting with NSCN (IM) condemn ‘discrimination’ & ‘alienation’

NEw DElhi, april 18 (iaNS/mExN): The Government of India (GoI) has extended the ceasefire with two Naga armed groups -- National Socialist Council of NagalandReformation (NSCN-R) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Neakpao-Kithovi (GPRN/ NSCN) till April 27, 2018, it was announced on Tuesday. The decision was taken during a meeting between Home Ministry officials and the Ceasefire Supervisory Board of both the Naga factions in New Delhi. “A ceasefire is in operation between the Indian government and NSCN-R and also between the government and NSCN-NK. It was decided to extend the suspension of operation with NSCN-R and NSCNNK for a further period of one year with effect from April 28, 2017,” said an official statement. The Home Ministry team

was headed by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary (North East), while the NSCN-R was led by Imlongnuski Chang and GPRN/ NSCN by Jack Zhimomi -- both supervisors of respective Ceasefire Supervisory Board. Meanwhile, a press release from the MIP of the NSCN (IM) informed that its Cease-fire Review Committee met with the GoI on April 17 discussing and reviewing “important issues.” “After minute discussions and thorough deliberations, decisions were made in an accommodative spirit,” stated the press release, and that the meeting concluded with a “very progressive result.” The meeting was chaired by Rina Mitra, Special Secretary (Internal Security) and attended, from the GoI, by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary (Home) Northeast In-charge, A. Radha Rani, Deputy Sec-

retary (NE.III), Gurbachan Singh, Additional Director (IB), A.K. Mishra, senior Joint Director (IB), Northeast Incharge, D.K Pathak, Chairman CFMG, Maj. Gen. Sanjay Gupta, IGAR (North), Brig. D.S. Rana, DGMO, Col. Amit Tewati, DGMI, Maj. P. Lokchandar, DGMO, S.C. Sahoo and Jyoti Kailash, Principal Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi. The NSCN (IM) team was led by Lt. Gen. (Retd) V.S Atem, Collective Leadership Member, alongside committee members Vikiye Awomi, Convener CFMC, Tongmeth Wangnao, Collective Leadership Member, Angaikham Makunga, SEM, K. Chawang, SEM, V. Horam, Kilonser MIP, John Anal, Secretary to Vice President, GPRN, D.J. Rudolph, Secretary CFMC and Brig. H. Shadang, GHQ Naga Army.

Army men involved in extra-judicial killings in Manipur must be punished: supreme court

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to press for their salaries. “They pass the blame on each other. They always try to bluff us. In each meeting they will assure that they are looking into the matter, or that our salaries will be given in one month’s time,” said NRMSATA President Renbemo Patton, who mentioned that the failure to provide a positive response has compelled the RMSA teachers to boycott the classes. “It’s not that we have resorted to this action blindly. This is the only way to fulfill our demands,” affirmed Patton informing that the second phase agitation will see a poster campaign in strategic locations of the

NEw DElhi, april 18 (TNN): Rejecting Centre’s plea that cases of extra-judicial killings allegedly by armed forces in Manipur should not be re-opened as more than a decade has passed, the Supreme Court said that when Bangladesh could prosecute war criminals for atrocities committed in 1971, the Indian government should not shy away from punishing culprits accused of killing innocent persons of the state in the last three decades. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit said that a fair and impartial probe was needed to find out the truth behind the killings in the state

and favoured setting up of a committee comprising senior officials of CBI and state police to hold investigations in those cases. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, however, strongly opposed re-investigation of those cases saying that it would not be appropriate to open the cases after 14 years. He said that many of the armed force personnel had retired after the incidents and the court should confine itself to awarding compensation to the victims’ family. The bench reminded that fresh probe was required to send a message that armed personnel could not be let off

after killing innocent people. The court said that it would first direct probe in three cases of rape and murder which took place in 2003 as there were apparent flaws in the investigations done by court of inquiry directed by the Army. “It appears to us that three cases need to be probed by an independent team. The probe will take time but it is needed as judicial inquiry and court of inquiry came to two divergent findings,” the bench said. The court was hearing a PIL filed by the Extra-Judicial Execution Victims Families Association alleging 1,528 extra-judicial killings by the Army and other security forc-

es in the last three decades in Manipur. The court also pulled up the state government for not protecting its people. The court asked the Centre, state and the petitioner to suggest name of officers who could be entrusted the task to carry out investigations. In 2013, the apex court had appointed a Commission of Inquiry (COI) headed by former SC Judge Santosh Hegde to investigate six “sample cases of alleged fake encounters”. The commission in its report had said that all six cases were fake encounter and it was not carried out by the security forces in self-defence.

Dimapur, april 18 (mExN): The Indigenous Minority Tribes of Nagaland (IMTN) have come out against the discrimination on rise against non Naga indigenous peoples of Nagaland State through mainstream politics, activism and even bureaucracy. A press release issued today by IMTN President, K Lun Tungnung, on behalf of the “indigenous minority tribes” in Nagaland State that consist of the Garo, Kachari, Kuki and Mikir/ Karbi, has condemned statements made by a newly formed mainstream political party, Nagaland Congress (NC), in equating these tribes to “non-locals and outsiders” while referring to police department appointments in the State. The IMTN, a conglomeration of four tribes recognized by the Nagaland State as being indigenous to it, termed the labeling of the said tribes as “outsiders” an act of “mischief” and “nothing but an attempt to distort and present a false picture of the status of these tribes.” “That such discrimination and alienation of these Tribes is nothing new but to equate these Tribes as Non-Local and outsiders is the lowest form of respect and recognition given to us by such responsible newly created Party –Nagaland Congress-run by some of the most veteran and once respected leaders of the State of Nagaland,” the IMTN maintained. It reiterated that due to such “discrimination, alienation and step motherly treatment within their own ancestral land,” the “condition and position” of the four “indigenous recognized tribes” has fallen with the passage of time, and the fresh attempt to “equate and compare” them with “other non-locals” is “nothing but an attempt to further alienate and discriminate them in their own home and land.” However, the IMTN appreciated the Nagaland Congress for

“unearthing” the instances of “irregular appointments” which, they felt, “need to be checked and investigated further by competent authorities without any bias and prejudices and any tribalism angle involved so that the Local Indigenous Tribes/ Community are not deprived of their chance of employment within their own state of Nagaland as prescribed under various office memorandum by the State Government.”

Historical facts & present scenario The Nagaland Congress was reminded by IMTN that “for their political goals and attempt to give a shot at the present government, facts and history should not be distorted.” “The Four Indigenous Tribes are not something that has just cropped up from nowhere, these Tribes are legally recognized by the government both Central and State and duly protected by the Constitution Order of 1970,” highlighted the conglomeration. The Garo, Kachari, Kuki and Mikir/Karbi, for instance, have been part of the present State of Nagaland even before the State was established on December 1, 1963. “The history and the settlement of these tribes are as old as any of the other recognized tribes of Nagaland,” stated the IMTN further nothing that the contributions of these tribes towards the Naga movement have been “second to none” with them “equally” shedding “blood and tears with our other Naga Tribes brothers and sisters.” The history of the Kachari Tribes in Nagaland date back to 10th Century AD “where the reminiscence of their proofs of being the traditional Land owner of Dimapur still stands today and is an Irrefutable evidence of their ownership and being the ancestral Landowner,” noted the IMTN in their press release, stating further that “only because of the magnanimity and hospitality

of the Kachari’s Tribes, Dimapur has become the only true miniNagaland where every tribes irrespective of their origin and descent can live and settle without any hindrance and discriminations.” As for the Kuki Tribes in Nagaland, they have been “one of the architects of the Naga National movement…which has been recognized by the Government of India as a uniqueness of Naga History of the submission of Memorandum to Simon Commission in 1929, where Late Lenjang Kuki was one of the signatories-where even some of the major Tribes of Nagaland was missing as signatories in signing such historical document,” informed the body. It was also stated that Haokip, who is still alive, is a “living example” that the Kuki tribes in Nagaland were influential enough to have a member in the Interim Body that led to the creation of Nagaland State in 1963. “That the attempt to present the Kuki Tribes as Substantial numbers in Police department is another attempt to create mischief and malice intended to tarnish the image of the officers of this tribe, whereas before 1990, the Kuki Tribe had one of the highest numbers of officers as per population ratio in the State of Nagaland but after 1990 the numbers of Kuki officers in state services has been reduced drastically and is as good as non-existent in spite of their ability and capability reason best known to all,” stated the IMTN referring to bureaucratic prejudices that may have crept into the State system. This is reflected also upon the other tribes recognized as indigenous to Nagaland State. The Kacharis, Garo and Mikir/ Karbi, for instance, who “settled even before the Statehood of Nagaland was created or the idea of such State mooted are hardly represented in government services who deserved to be given a Backward Quota looking at their conditions and gravity of their deplorable state.”


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