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The Morung Express
Dimapur Vol. X issuE 106
www.morungexpress.com
Monday, April 20, 2015 12 Pages Rs. 4
Is it really possible that certain kinds of power come to us only as we let go of things rather than accumulate them?
IS video purports to show killing of Ethiopians in Libya
Indian farmers protest plans to ease land acquisition [ PAGE 8]
[ PAGE 9]
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—Vincent Harding
Rajasthan crush Chennai by 8 wickets [ PAGE 12]
Factionalism has doused spirit of nationalism among Nagas Moa Jamir
Dimapur | April 19
A defendant is comforted by another in a courtroom cage as a judge issues a verdict in a case involving violence by soccer fans in Port said in 2012 that left 74 people dead, in Cairo, Egypt on April 19. The Egyptian court sentenced 11 soccer fans to death in the retrial of over 70 defendants accused in the soccer riot, one of the world’s deadliest. sunday’s decision requires the advisory opinion of the country’s top religious authority, the Grand Mufti. (AP Photo)
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
over the years i have inaugurated 10 waiting sheds, laid thousands of foundation stones, graced public functions and you dare call me an incompetent Minister?
A sense of ‘déjà vu’ prevailed when the Nagas were ‘honoured’ with the formation of another Naga Political Group (NPG) in the first week of April. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Reformation), a breakaway group of the NSCN (Khaplang), was formed, purportedly to “develop a sense of brotherhood among the Naga family and also to rebuild the trust and faith among the Naga society.” On last count, at least 8 NPGs are operating among the Nagas, each claiming to be the genuine representative of the people. In a news article (The Hindu, January 23, 2014), the current interlocutor for talks with Naga groups, R N Ravi, observed that “Over 1,800 Nagas have been killed in some 3,000 fratricidal clashes since the beginning of the ‘ceasefire’ (1997-2013)…. during the 17 years preceding the ‘ceasefire’ (1980-96) some 940 Naga lives (were lost) in 1,125 clashes mostly with the security forces…” Last week, the Morung Express asked its readers, ‘Is factionalism weakening the spirit of nationalism in the Naga context?’ An overwhelming 90% said yes, while a miniscule 4% said no and 6% give an alternative explanation. Is nationalism dying? The most pertinent question is what remarkable feats have so many factions achieved? Is it the Naga way of demonstrating one’s loyalty to the ‘sacred cause’ by defecting from one group to the other?
ACAUT Nagaland for transparency in NPSC
DIMAPUR, APRIL 19 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland today called for transparency in the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). “This statutory body, the backbone of bureaucracy and governance itself, should be the most impartial, neutral, professional and depoliticized body in the state,” said a press note from ACAUT Nagaland. It expressed support to the issue raised by Graduate Electrical Engineers Association of Nagaland (GEEAN) asking the NPSC to provide answer keys for its Combined Technical Examinations valid and based on precedence. This demand, ACAUT said, “is only logical since the NPSC is already providing answer keys for its premier civil services exam and there is no valid reason why it should not do so for the Combined Technical Examination, normally held in earlier part of the year.” It further reminded that even the UPSC
provides answer keys for its Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam. The GEEAN, it added, “genuinely fears” that deserving students would be deprived of jobs unless answer keys are published in the papers after the exam, “thanks to precedence of machinations and corruption in NPSC.” Unless the GEEAN demand is adhered to, ACAUT stated it would conclude that “there may be mala fide intention by NPSC to deprive genuine and deserving candidates at the cost of meritocracy.” The ACAUT however acknowledged that NPSC is in pole position to build a meritocratic society “notwithstanding allegations of bribery and favouritism cast upon its esteemed members a few years back.” This, it added, is “another soul-searching moment for NPSC; its response to GEEAN demand, positively or negatively, will be the answer to the question about the integrity of its members.”
How many tribes are openly supporting factions at the cost of national unity? “Factionalism has not only weakened the Naga spirit but already broken our revolutionary’s spinal cord,” commented a reader. “With 8 factions speaking of their own story of sovereignty, it is not irrational for the Nagas to lose faith in nationalism,” responded another, demoralising the Nagas. For Avika Jimo, the actual national cause is being forgotten in the maze of personal interests. Few leaders who are truly concerned are left without option, toothless and voiceless. At another level, factionalism is not restricted to NPGs alone, but afflicting every aspect of society—an incurable disease breaking down family, clan, village, tribe and nation. Even churches are not spared and state politics is under its spell, noted another reader. In Essays for Responsible Change, Venüsa Tünyi, observed that ‘Messiah Syndrome’ - a self-belief that one is the only person who can save others from their misery- has pervaded and penetrated deep into Naga cultural systems. Rozelle Mero was outright in her assertion that most organisations in Nagaland are now “ego organisations” and stated, “You don’t like something then break away and start your own! Innuendo and instigation along with the greed of money is what slowly kills what may have started with a genuine heart!” Writing on South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), Dr. Sashinungla, former Research Associate at the Institute for Conflict Management,said even though inter-tribal
or inter-factional rivalry existed before the Naga movement commenced, the leadership question of the political struggle took precedence and intensified distrust among the factions. In the Naga socio-cultural context, where the community is greater than the individual, when individuals are killed, the community feels “alienated and hurt as a consequence.” A product of divisive policies? Some readers argued that factionalism is the end result of the divide and rule strategy of the Indian government. The NPG leaders don’t realize that they are being played around with like “toys” by the intelligence agencies, they maintained. Others blamed “greedy leaders” for weakening Naga nationalism. The State Government, they said, is the biggest obstacle towards Naga unity. It is already dead “I cannot see any ‘spirit of nationalism’ in the factions. How can it get weakened?” a reader retorted, adding, “Factionalism within underground, electoral political parties, churches, tribal hohos, students, etc, are indeed the sign of collective defeat even before a battle is being fought against our adversaries.” For Huzo Mero, all man-made problems can be resolved if only people have clean motive, positive attitude and come together to the negotiating table. According to him, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) seems to be the best platform available for unity but the NPGs failed to seize the golden opportunity.
Can it be resuscitated? In the Raging Mithun, Abraham Lotha, exasperated with the persistent existence of factionalism, argued that no word in recent Naga vocabulary sounds so empty as “forgiveness, unity and reconciliation.” “Naga nationalism is neither a personal property nor a monopoly of any individual, faction, tribe, civil society or political party,” he opined, “We need to put our heads together and make a concerted and collaborative effort that will generate political mechanism and strength.” Venüsa too opined it would be wiser to wake up and see the dangers threatening “our common destiny.” Lotha bats for a ‘common inclusive body’ – akin to an All-Naga Convention— that is independent and representative of all stakeholders, responsible for framing a vision and chart directives for the future. While the reconciliation process started by the FNR has drastically reduced factional hostility, its scope to expand Naga political aspirations remains limited as fissures within prove to be too big a challenge for the NPGs. Most recently, 38 Tribe-based organisations, churches and civil society came together, through the FNR, in Dimapur to “take responsibility for nation building,” described by its convenor, Dr. Wati Aier, as a “defining moment” in Naga history. The organisations “fervently” appealed for reconciliation, though it remains to be seen whether such a process would “resuscitate” the dying spirit of nationalism among the Nagas. Poll results on page 7
Burma Camp sub-station restored Morung Express news Dimapur | April 19
Burma Camp power sub-station was re-activated on Sunday evening resuming supply to affected localities. One 10 Mva transformer at the sub-station was damaged during the storm, which lashed Dimapur on April 18 evening. It affected ‘feeders’ (power lines) supplying power to Veterinary colony, Tourist Lodge area, district hospital, Nagarjan, Purana Bazar and the airport. Executive Engineer, Dimapur Electrical Division, Moameren informed that there was no major damage sustained by the transformer as initially suspected. Workers could restore it by 5:30 pm Sunday. Supply was resumed by 8:00 pm, it was informed.
FGN forms Action Committee against ‘unauthorised taxation’ DIMAPUR, APRIL 19 (MExN): The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has constituted an Action Committee to address what it termed as “unauthorised taxation” carried out by a “group of imposters at the behest of some unscrupulous person(s) without the knowledge and authorisation from the Chaplee Ministry of the Federal government.” A press note from the Ministry of Rali Wali, FGN informed that this “group of imposters are using the fake government documents by copying and duplicating by themselves and let it out secretly to the open market.” The FGN termed this as a “menace that is threatening the image of the government since they are committing the highest national crime which is beyond pardonable.” It further informed all business establishments and communities to contact the government authorities beforehand at 8974783137/9612332121. “Failing to respond will be one’s own responsibility in future,” the FGN cautioned.
Pusa for collective effort on Naga Issue
The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Do you support the idea of a ‘partyless’ government in Nagaland?
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Yes
no
others
Is factionalism weakening the spirit of nationalism in the Naga context? Yes no
90% 03%
others
07%
Details on page 7
KOHIMA, APRIL 19 (MExN): The Congress today asked Naga political groups not to make a mockery of Naga nationalism. AICC member and Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), K V Pusa said Naga nationalism does not belong to any group or faction but for all Naga people. He said it is the collective effort to resolve the protracted Naga political issue and not by a handful of people who have claimed themselves as people’s representatives.
Pusa said as a responsible leader he had met many Indian policymakers, including the Prime Minister several times and requested them for a solution which would be honourable and acceptable to all sections of Naga people. Pusa further affirmed that the Congress would continue to ask the Centre for an early solution of the long drawn Naga political issue. On his integrity, the PAC Chairman said as long as the issue was resolved he will remain as “Naga Indian.” Pusa further clarified that his
statement regarding the ceasefire offer from NSCN (Reformation) to the Governent of India was neither a scheme nor was it intended to hurt anybody’s sentiment. “My intention was not to hurt the sentiment of anybody but to let people know the logic behind seeking ceasefire from the Government of India and to save the face of Naga nationalism,” he added The PAC Chairman added that he was also a victim of brutality in the hands of security forces since the 1950s. “I had to live in the jungles. I have
seen the brutality,” he said. “I have seen the turmoil in our society” he added. He further asserted that mere rhetoric about Naga nationalism would not suffice the Naga political movement. The Congress leader called for unity in order to facilitate an early solution. However he lamented that Naga society has now been further divided. He further stated that the Naga people cannot be taken for a ride in the name of Naga nationalism, adding that the people have had enough and wanted to live peacefully and progress.
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66 students graduate from Trinity Theological College Morung Express News Dimapur | April 19
Sixty six theological students of Trinity Theological College (TTC), Thahekhu, were conferred diploma in Bachelor of Divinity at the 18th Graduation Service of the college held Sunday. Principal, TTC, Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo, administered the ‘prayer of commitment’ to the graduating students, followed by award of diploma by TTC principal and academic dean. Director, SBC, Rev. Dr. Khehovi Shohe, led the ‘commissioning and dedication’ of the students. Master, Senate of Serampore College, Rt. Rev.
(LEFT) Rt. Rev. Dr. John Sadananda, addressing the graduation service of Trinity Theological College (TTC), Thahekhu. (RIGHT) Graduating students of TTC taking part in the “prayer of commitment.”
Dr. John Sadananda, the speaker of the graduation service, in his message dwelled on the theme “Rejoice in Jesus Christ.” Rev. Sadananda said Christianity has been rightly de-
scribed as a religion of joy and both the Old Testament and New Testament in the Bible are replete with expressions of deliverance from bondage and expectations of salvation.
He said that while the Old Testament like Book of Psalms is full with songs of rejoicing, the coming of the Messiah is the basis of rejoicing in the New Testament.
As Christians, one must learn to rejoice under different circumstances including during trying and challenging times, he stated. On periods of depression faced by theological
World Music Day 2015 for the women of Nagaland
D.El.Ed exam at GHSS Kiphire
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Members of the Mind Blowers Club seen here after the press conference at Ao Kitchen on April 19. (Morung Photo) Morung Express News Dimapur | April 19
This World Music Day, on June 21, will see music promoted by women, for women. The Mind Blowers Club (MBC), a music and art fusion society in Nagaland, will host an event on June 21 based on the theme ‘Women’s Look in Culture
through music.’ It will consist of a seminar cum fusion contest specifically for women. The seminar will be held 4:00pm onwards at Hotel Saramati’s conference hall in Dimapur, followed by the competition. The seminar will be addressed by resource persons, including from the State social welfare department and Nagaland State
Women’s Commission, and selected artists. The message of the event, informed president of the MBC, Yangerla, at a press conference held today at Ao Kitchen here, is to speak up, through music, against discrimination of women in music, gender equality and of other social ills. It seeks to provide a platform for women in
Nagaland State who, despite having talent, cannot access a route to portray their talents due to financial backwardness, lack of education or due to marginalisation of other kinds. The contestants can sing in any language of preference. Winners will be awarded cash prizes, gift hampers, mementos, etc. apart from an opportunity for a yearlong contract to take their music career forward. The screening test for the contestants will begin from the first week of June, said the organisers. The call for the screening test will be widely advertised in print and broadcast media in Nagaland. The fusion contest will be open to women from all age groups from all over Nagaland State, and will be judged by three accomplished women (names undisclosed). Registration forms for contestants will be available starting April 20 at the MBC office at Fellowship Colony, Dimapur. Interested candidates may contact phone numbers: 9615327415 or 9089505788.
students, Rev. Sadananda advised, “faith depression should be turned to faith expression.” He also said real joy comes from being in Christ and one should rejoice in
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various disciplines were also awarded to meritorious and outstanding graduate students. The awards and winners include: Faculty Award for outstanding academic performance (P Asenla), Principal’s Award for best discipline in Christian living (Dikseng N Sangma), Ivulho Shohe Award for biblical studies (P Asenla), Dr. Hokishe Award for best sermon (N Benjamin Sema), Rev. Dr. Najekhu Award for scripture knowledge (Ruth Chishi) and Governing Body Award for general proficiency (P Asenla). On the occasion, executive secretary SABAK, Rev. Hotokhu Jimo, released the college magazine.
Kiphire, April 19 (MexN): The principal of GHSS, Kiphire and co-ordinator of NIOS Study Centre-471401 has informed all the teacher-trainees of D.El.Ed of GHSS, Kiphire Study Centre that the D.El. Ed 1st year examination commences on April 30 at GHSS, Kiphire. The examination to be held for 3 hours (2:30 pm-5:30 pm) has been scheduled as follows: April 30 -501, May 6 -502, May 8 -503, May 11 Dance troupe from Mizoram performing the Cheraw dance at the NEZCC organized ‘cultural spectacular’ event held at the NEZCC complex under the theme ‘Our Heritage’ on Saturday, April 18. -504, and May 12 -505.
BTC holds 23rd graduation ceremony
Graduating students of Baptist Theological College with faculty members.
pfutsero, April 19 (MexN): The 23rd graduation ceremony of Baptist Theological College (BTC) was held on April 19 at Chakhesang Mission Centre Church in Pfutsero. Thirty-nine students received Diplo-
ma of Theology in Bachelor of Divinity (BD) during the ceremony, a press release received here informed. Rev. Dr. Sanyü Iralu, Principal, Shalom Bible Seminary, Zubza, Kohima was the guest speaker. He high-
Acknowledgement M
the “directionality” of the Holy Spirit. With Christ as “our constant hope” and source of joy, the believers can help build “communities of hope”, he added. Proficiency awards in
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RANO MESE SHAIZA (Nov.11, 1928—April 1, 2015)
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lighted the social and political realities of the Naga society and challenged the graduating students to be responsible leaders. He urged them to speak the truth and lay the foundation of the truth in order to uproot corruption from our society. He also challenged the community quoting Joshua 1:1-7 that says God promises us His divine presence to be with us. “We need to be empowered with the divine presence of God,” he stated urging the graduating students to be holy as God is holy and firmly stand on the word of God. The graduation ceremony was graced by the Board of Governors, Church leaders, relatives of the graduating students, and well-wishers of the college.
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Swachh Bharat prog held at Medziphema
MedzipheMA, April 19 (MexN): As part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Medziphema sub-division held a social work on April 18, which was participated by all heads of department, GBs, MTYC, chairman of village council, Medziphema Students’ Union, Chamber of Commerce, representatives from 37 Assam Rifles, members from SASARD, and representatives of various schools in Medziphema town. ADC Medziphema Zhothisa Dawhuo and SDO (Civil) Manpai Phom along with superintendent of Medziphema town Murali visited all the wards and interacted with the public. They urged the public of Medziphema town to maintain cleanliness in all work places and public areas, adding that cleanliness should be the responsibility of every citizen. They further sought help and suggestion from the citizens in order to keep the town clean. The ADC also called on the public not to throw and dump the waste materials randomly, but to deposit at the right place. He added that if everyone maintains their surrounding clean, automatically the town could become one of the cleanest towns in the state. In order to encourage the citizens of Medziphema town, awards were also given; ward number nine was declared the best ward, followed by ward number six, and ward number three. Some cash incentives will be awarded to the winners, the ADC added. A press release noted that there are nine wards under Medziphema town and each GB was entrusted to look after their respective ward.
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IEC/BCC on adolescent reproductive & sexual health “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Tim. 4: 7 On Wednesday, April 1, 2015, our most beloved Mummy, Rano Mese Shaiza moved to her eternal home. Her life’s race was well run, her life’s work well done, and her life’s victory, well won. Mummy’s life was one of bountiful love, patience and benevolence, which brought out the finest in others; her integrity, strength of character and the genuine love for her people were seen by those who knew her, and we will miss her very dearly … we believe Mummy received a glorious welcome upon her arrival in heaven.
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The family of Rano Mese Shaiza would like to express our profound gratitude to all those who shared our pain at the passing of our dearest mother. We deeply appreciate the love, understanding, kindness and support you have showered on us, which has helped ease our sorrow. Your kind expressions through your presence, your words, thoughts and prayers, text messages, phone calls, emails, cards and letters of condolence, generous gifts, and beautiful floral tributes, has meant a great deal to us. We thank you for taking the time to attend the service in celebration of her life at Ura Academy Hall, and for the warm and kind tributes. Thank you for honouring our mother with such grace and dignity. Our deepest gratitude to all those who accompanied us to Zubza, our mother’s final resting place. We are also truly grateful to those who made the effort to travel such long distances in order to be with our family, and for all the continued support during this truly difficult time. Please accept this as a personal note of gratitude to each one of you. May God Bless You. ~ FAMILY OF RANO MESE SHAIZA ~
KohiMA, April 19 (MexN): Under the aegis of National Health Mission, the District Health Society, Kohima in collaboration with Japanese Encephalitis Campaign, conducted 2nd phase of district level Information, education, and communication, Behavior change communication (IEC/BCC) activities on Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health (ARSH) at Nagabazar Baptist High School on April 17. The programme was chaired by Kungcham Dailiam, Media Officer, Kohima while Dr. Akaholi Chishi, MO (SHP) took the technical session. Speaking on adolescent health, Dr. Akaholi Chishi sensitized the participants on the physical and the emotional changes that happen during the adolescent period. She also stressed on the services available at the Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics. Further, touching on the importance of Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplement (WIFS), Dr. Akaholi highlighted the problems of anaemia, dangers of early pregnancy, hygiene issues in order to inculcate a healthy lifestyle amongst the students. She also spoke on the adolescents’ guide on abstinence. Abstinence is a good way to protect oneself from many reasons like risk pregnancy, protecting from HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), she stated. A street play was performed by the students on drug abuse leading to dangers of early marriage. With the aim to provide awareness on adolescent health, students were made to get involved in the street play, a press release informed. Meanwhile, the Adolescent Club also made effort to create awareness to their peer groups in regards to adolescent health issues. The school authority on the other hand looked forward for more such programmes. Altogether 280 people attended the programme, including teachers, students, MO (SHP) and media officer.
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REgional
The Morung Express
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20 April 2015
Dimapur
Rebel group calls shutdown on BJP chief's visit to Meghalaya Shillong, April 19 (iAnS): The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Sunday called for a 12-hour shutdown starting from 5 am on April 22 to protest BJP president Amit Shah's visit to Meghalaya. HNLC spokesman Sainkupar Nongtraw said the shutdown was called in protest against the Indian political leadership and the alleged atrocities perpetrated by the "Sangh Parivar" on minorities. Shah, who recently visited Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur, is scheduled to arrive here from Sikkim on April 22 for a day-long visit. He will address BJP workers and hold series of meetings with leaders of regional political parties, besides holding a separate meeting with church leaders and civil society groups. Alleging that the BJP was re-writing the constitution for establishing a Hindu state, Nongtraw warned: "If the BJP, RSS, VHP do not stop their religious fanatics policies
M'laya plea to tribunal for upholding ban against HNLC Shillong, April 19 (pTi): Meghalaya government has urged for upholding the ban against a Khasi rebel outfit the HNLC as a tribunal examining the issue is likely to take a final call on the matter on April 29. The plea was made during a hearing conducted by the office of the Registrar, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, Delhi High Court, here today. "The state government is making plea that the ban against the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) should continue," government counsel Ranjan Mukherjee told PTI here. According to him, the notification issued by the Centre on November then the BJP should close down all its party offices in Khasi, Jaintia hills and members of the BJP, candidates contesting elections shall bear the wrath of the HNLC." However, the BJP's Meghalaya unit has made elaborate arrangements to welcome its national president. "We have made all nec-
16, 2014 declared HNLC as a banned outfit. All witnesses have been examined during the hearing conducted by the Judge of the Tribunal, A K Pathak. "In today's proceedings, all the six districts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills region in which the HNLC was active have been examined," Mukherjee said. The statements of the Commissioner and Secretary in charge Political department of Meghalaya besides the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) of three districts? East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi District - have been examined today, the government counsel said. The statements of DCs and SPs
essary arrangements to ensure a successful visit by Shah to Meghalaya. The party president will address party workers and also held separate meetings with the state party office bearers to draw a roadmap for the progress of BJP in Meghalaya," BJP general secretary Dipayan Chakraborty told IANS. On the other hand,
from East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and South West Khasi Hills district had been examined by the tribunal in its previous sittings. The Tribunal would now hear the arguments before taking a final call on the issue in its next hearing scheduled to be held at New Delhi on April 29. "In the process of either confirmation or cancellation, the proceedings have been held, evidences have been recorded, now the judge will hear arguments from both the parties? Union government and state of Meghalaya," he said. It may be noted that the Tribunal so far has held around eight to ten sittings on the matter since the notification was issued by the Centre last year.
Meghalaya Police said elaborate security arrangement would be made for the BJP national president to ensure his safety and security. "The police will provide security to Amit Shah as he is a Z-plus protectee and also to ensure his safety and security during his visit in the state," a police officer said.
The HNLC, which runs hit-and-run operations from its hideouts in Bangladesh, has been demanding a sovereign Khasi homeland in Meghalaya. Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, part of which is porous, hilly and unfenced and prone to frequent infiltration.
Tarun Gogoi's 'Dream Girl' arrested Capital punishment demanded for gUwAhATi, April 19 (new inDiAn expreSS): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi once equated her with Hema Malini, the Bollywood heart-throb of yesteryears. “Rumi is my Hema Malini,” Gogoi had proudly proclaimed when a bitter war of words broke loose between the ruling Congress and the BJP in the run-up to the 2011 Assembly polls. But Rumi Nath, the Congress legislator from southern Assam’s Borkhola Assembly constituency, has turned out to be more of a nightmare for him than a political “dream girl”. The MLA, who has courted controversies one after another, was arrested last week for her alleged links with the kingpin of a gang of pan-India car-lifters. She is currently lodged in room No. 3 of the Guwahati Central Jail with 13
other prisoners. The gang leader, Anil Chauhan, has also been arrested. Over 3,000 cases of car-thefts are registered against him. His wife Rita and Nath’s estranged second husband Jacky Zakir and her PSO have also been nabbed. There are allegations that Nath was close to Chauhan and used her influence to help him. Not only did she protect him from the law, but allegedly she even received stolen vehicles from him. One such vehicle, a BMW, was gifted to Zakir on his birthday by Nath. Recently, police seized a vehicle from Chauhan’s house that had three Assembly Secretariat car passes on its windscreen and rear screen. The passes were issued on Nath’s recommendation.
Nath was in the news in 2010 when she, a BJP legislator, defected to the Congress. She had voted for the Congress during the Rajya Sabha polls, allegedly after taking money from them. Nath made headlines again two years later when her intimate video clips and pictures went viral. She alleged her husband Rakesh Kumar had released them as he had discovered her affair with Zakir. Her public image fell a few notches further when she converted to Islam to marry Zakir. And in doing so, she did not file for divorce from her first husband. Nath was arrested in connection with two cases under IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 212 (harbouring offenders), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating).
murderer of CPI-M leader's wife
AgArTAlA, April 19 (pTi): Tripura Pradesh Mahila Congress today demanded capital punishment for the persons responsible for the murder of a 62-year old woman, wife of a suspended influential CPI(M) leader. "It is very unfortunate that a woman at the age of 62 year old was brutally murdered. It should be treated as rarest of the rare case and thus we want capital punishment for the guilty persons," said Kalayani Roy, Chairperson of Tripura Pradesh Mahila Congress at a press conference here. She said the women wing wants the government to send the case to fast-track court for speedy trial keeping all the accused persons in jail.
"Jiten Das, suspected mastermind of the case, is very influential figure and he can influence the investigation process. That's why we want custodial trial of the case", she said. Kalapana Das was found dead in her bedroom at Bridhinagar area in West Tripura district on April 16. Based on an FIR, police have arrested four persons including former Sabhadhipati and her husband Jiten Das for their alleged involvement in the murder. All the four persons were sent to police remand for interrogation for six days after being produced before a local court yesterday. Sensing trouble, CPI(M) has already suspended the party leader.
Tripura reeling under severe fuel crisis
AgArTAlA, April 19 (Ani): Tripura is reeling under severe fuel crisis for the last few days due to disruptions in supplies following a road blockade in Assam besides mega rail blockage for conversion work. Most of the fuel filling stations hanged play cards of 'no petrol' and long queues were seen outside a lone petrol pump. The people complained
that they had to wait for long hours to get their turn to fill petrol and could not do many important works. "The state authority should take some measure to overcome the crisis because we have been waiting for hours to fill petrol," said a businessman named Joydip Nath. Nath, who had to wait in the long queue for more than an hour to fill petrol in his bike, said the numbers
of filling station are not increasing in the state in proportionate to the increasing vehicle. "And this is also adding to the crisis." Samar Paul, a biker, said the fuel price has slashed during the last few days but the worst sufferers are the customers. "The owners fear that they may face loss if they have stock, so they do not keep fuel in their stock. If the price slashes by Rs. two per litre of pet-
rol, the owners have to bear loss. So, they do not stock the fuel and we are at the suffering end," he added. Recently, there was a landslide in Loharpua in upper Assam and as a result of which the oil tankers could not come through NH 44 to Tripura. Moreover, the rail links has also stopped due to the conversion work, thereby, leading to delivery problem in the Indian
Oil Corporation (IOC) and crisis of petrol and diesel in Tripura. "Mainly due to road problem in upper Assam's Loharpua, the tankers are reaching here in six days while normally they cover the distance in three days. So, the vehicles are reaching late to Agartala and there is shortage of oil in the filling stations," said Pradip Sarkar, a staff of a filling station.
Assam government fails to utilise funds for wildlife protection at Kaziranga
new Delhi, April 19 (MAil ToDAy): A massive central fund meant for the Kaziranga National Park and the Manas National Park is lying unused, an RTI reply has revealed.Even as the Kaziranga National Park struggles to fight high incidence of poaching of rhinos, the Assam government has failed to utilise the funds released by the Centre for protection of the wildlife. The revelation came at a time when Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi accused the Centre of not releasing funds for the protection of wildlife in Kaziranga National Park. A letter, written by the National Tiger Conserva-
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tion Authority (NTCA) to the chief secretary of the state on March 19, has revealed that the state government failed to release funds to the field authorities of the Manas and Kazirabnga Tiger Reserves, battling with high poaching by militant outfits deploying sophisticated weaponry like the AK-56 and AK-47s for killing animals. Further, the letter revealed Rs.2.39 crores, which was released by the RBI to the state government for the protection of wildlife at Kaziranga, has not been utilised so far. The documents obtained in RTI reply by wildlife activist and member of Le-
gal Initiative of Forests and Environment (LIFE), Rohit Choudhury, revealed that a massive corpus released for Kaziranga and Manas remains yet to be released. The documents further revealed that the Centre has released the highest amount of fund of Rs.11.36 crore for the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in 2014-15, which is yet to be released by the state government to the reserve. An amount of Rs.4.37 crore, which was released to the state from the RBI on February 25, has not been released till date. Besides, an additional release of Rs.4.57 crore made on March 13, has also not been handed over to the park. Moreover, a sum of Rs 1.40 crore released to the state government for Manas Tiger Reserve on June 23 last year has not been spent so far. Further, a corpus of Rs 1.88 crore made available to the state on February 18, has also not reached the Manas reserve authorities.
A fisherman lights a stove to prepare food before he goes for fishing in a boat in the river Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Assam on Sunday, April 19. Brahmaputra is one of Asia's largest rivers, which passes through China's Tibet region, India and Bangladesh before converging into the Bay of Bengal. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Mizoram govt not to hold talks with HPC(D) AizAwl, April 19 (pTi): Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana today said the state government does not have any intention to hold talks with the Manipurbased Hmar People's Convention (Democrats) as the outfit could not be trusted. "The government does not have any intention to have parleys with the outfit, rather we would reply them in the language they understand," he said. The March 28 ambush on a team of 'Assembly Committee on Government Assurances' by the HPC(D) cadres took place barely two weeks after feelers were sent to H Zosangbera, the outfit's chairman, on holding talks, Lalzirliana said. The attack occurred in Zokhawthiang hamlet near Mizoram-Manipur-Assam border and left three policemen dead. The home minister said personnel of the elite force of the state armed police are launching a major operation to arrest those involved with the ambush. Three HPC(D) militants including Lalropuia
LOST NOTICE I, Kaisa Krehe, am applying for a duplicate copy of Identity Card of Sainik School Punglwa as I have lost it. Name : Kaisa Krehe F/Name : Shri.Krehe Personal No. : 21017T D.O.B. : 18th April 1982 Designation : Asst. Master (English) Identification Mark: A mole on the right chin Date of Appointment : 18 Jul 2011
Famhoite, self-styled army chief of the outfit, were arrested two days ago from Ramnagar of Silchar area in Assam's Cachar district. One of the other two arrested persons was Norbar Sanate, Finance Secretary of the HPC(D). Lalzirliana earlier said he would introduce the Mizoram Disturbed Areas Bill, 2015 in the next session of the state legislature likely
to be held in July. He said the proposed law would authorise the state government to declare any militant-infested area within the state as 'disturbed area' if the situation warranted. He, however, clarified that declaration of 'disturbed area' would not necessarily mean imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
INFORMATION
Admission forms for Class-11 are available in the school office, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Working days) Hostel seats are available for both boys and girls. Sd/Principal CMHSS
Government Of Nagaland Department of Health & Family Welfare Nagaland Health Project Nagaland : Kohima
NHP/ADMIN-1/2015-16/123
/Dated Kohima, the 20th of April, 2015
ADVERTISEMENT Applications are hereby invited from individuals for filling up 2 (Two) District Facilitators and 6 (Six) Field Demonstrators, on Contractual basis, under the Nagaland Health Project, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland, Kohima. Details of the Job descriptions, requirements and application forms can be downloaded from the www.nrhmnagaland.in (advertisement page). The applications should be addressed to the Project Director, Nagaland Health Project, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima, Nagaland, and must be received on or before the 27th of April, 2015, 12:00 Noon. Shortlisted candidates will be announced on the 28th of April, 2015 on the website. The interview will be conducted on the 30th of April, 2015, at Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima, Nagaland.
Sd/(DR. NANDIRA CHANGKIJA) Project Director, NHP.
GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DIRECTORATE OF SCHOOL EDUCATION NAGALAND :: KOHIMA CORRIGENDUM
Dated Kohima the April'2015
INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN MINISTRY
Sponsored by Toluvi Baptist Church Toluvi Village, Dimapur – 797112, Nagaland Registered under the Government of Nagaland: NO. HOME/SCR - 6826 Motto: Every Child, Every Church A six months intensive course (residential) diploma course especially designed for child care givers, Sunday school teachers and others interested in children ministry. • Issue of application forms – 6th April to7th May, 2015 • Last date of submission of application forms – 8th May, 2015. • Date of entrance exam and interview – 12th May, 2015, 10 AM. • 2015 session begins in the month of June. Interested candidates may contact: Programmee Co-Ordinator, ICM Mobile: 8259973539 or E-mail: icmtoluvi@gmail.com
NO.ED/EST/GR-IV/APPT/DIS-MBA/2011-12:: Reference to the Advertisement dated 16.04.2015 published by the department inviting application for the post of Chowkidar at GMS, Yimjenkimong, serial No. 3 and 4 in the terms & condition of the said Advertisement shall remain deleted. All other terms and conditions shall remain as published. Sd/ZAVEYI NYEKHA Director (SE)
PATKAI CHRISTIAN COLLEGE (Autonomous) Chümoukedima – Seithekema B.P.O. Patkai – 797 103, Dimapur – Nagaland Affiliated to Nagaland University College with Potential for Excellence NAAC Re-accreditation: ‘A’ (3.06 CGPA) Postgraduate College
4
Dimapur
businEss
Monday 20 April 2015
The Morung Express
Net neutrality in India still a myth, but don’t log off
New Delhi, April 19 (iANS): Amid the raging debate globally over net neutrality, which has evoked a strong reaction from stakeholders in India, domain experts feel that an unshackled access to the Internet world isn’t feasible in India yet but attempts must continue for egalitarianism. “Building a net neutral network is technologically not possible to implement. It’s a utopian idea - no basis in technology,” said Ravi V.S. Prasad, a telecom consultant who has designed several data-com and telecom networks in the past 30 years. “No telecom engineer will say that network neutrality is feasible. The concept that each data is
treated equally does not hold good. You can’t design data. The Internet inherently prioritises data on a scale of 0-7 points basis,” Prasad told IANS. Explaining further, he said a network architecture gives highest priority to network management, followed by online gaming, speech, videos and then still images, music files, movie downloads and file transfers. These cannot be on the same footing. Network neutrality, or open inter-working, means in accessing the World Wide Web, one is in full control over how to go online, where to go and what to do, as long as these are lawful. So firms that provide Internet services should treat all lawful In-
ternet content in a neutral manner. It also required such companies not to charge users, content, platform, site, application or mode of communication differentially. These are also the founding principles of the Internet and what has made it the largest and most diverse platform for expression in recent history. Giving a slightly different perspective was Subimal Bhattacharjee, member of Research Advisory Network under the Global Commission on Internet Governance - an initiative of the Davos-based World Economic Forum launched last year to articulate the future of internet governance. “It is practically impos-
sible to build a net-neutral network, but it has to be attained - or at least attempted. This is what will support innovation. Otherwise, the Net will not remain open and free,” Bhattacharjee told IANS. “Also, every telecom service provider is an intermediary under the Information Technology Act, in any case. If an operator tries to give an advantage to some players by taking a fee and improving their services, it is not allowed under Section 79 of IT Act.” According to Antony Alex, chief executive officer of online learning platform myLaw.net, the IT Act already provides for exceptions where net neutrality could be violated by internet service providers
- pornography being one such example. “But violation of net neutrality for commercial benefit of a few is a different issue altogether. The law as it stands now is silent on net neutrality. That’s why Internet service providers take advantage and offer different plans, which go against net neutrality,” he said. Bhattacharjee said: “The question that lies ahead of us now is whether service providers will be able to provide any special service under the overthe-top (OTT) banner. The way the mood is, it seems unlikely.” Such services include apps like Viber and WhatsApp. Similarly, Abhilekh Verma, partner with the legal and corporate con-
sultancy firm Khaitan and Co., said the argument favouring neutrality of the internet is an important one. “But one also has to note that in India, the internet penetration leaves a lot to be desired.” In India, there were some 95 million broadband connections as of end-February. There was also a growing appetite among netizens in India to log on to social networking sites - Facebook, for example, claims 118 million active users in the country. Another votary of net neutrality is technology evangelist Sam Pitroda, who, at the instance of then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, was responsible for India’s telecom revolution in the late 1980s and
early 1990s. “Net neutrality in India is fundamental to the future of democracy, development, demography and disparity. It is not about business, economics, customer service or the opinion of a few educated elites,” Pitroda said. He gave the example of the US and said after a brief debate there, the administration felt its importance. “However it required interventions at the highest level to push net neutrality. Short term issues cannot be allowed to create a fog and confusion in the minds of people.” The Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Ecuador have also adopted net neutrality. As the situation stands
in India today, the telecom watchdog released a paper inviting comments from all stakeholders on what are called the over-the-top services. Responses have to be filed by April 24 and the counter-arguments by May 8. The suggestions will subsequently follow. Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, a lawyer by profession, said the government intends to take a call on the matter after receiving the watchdog’s recommendations, as it intended to involve wider consultations. “A panel is also examining the issue. It will submit its report by the second week of May. These will help the government take a comprehensive decision on this issue.”
Mahindra to roll out 3 compact SUVs this year India 5th biggest generator of e-waste in 2014 M
ahindra is readying a thoroughly updated Quanto which is expected to be launched in the coming months. Our sources now tell us that unlike its predecessor, which shared most of the front-styling bits with the Xylo, the updated Quanto is likely to get its unique identity in the form of all-new and more SUV-ish front styling. What’s more, the interior is also expected to get tweaks in the form of new seats and more equipment. Apart from the exterior changes, a major update will be made under the skin. The new Quanto will benefit from M&M’s nextgen ladder chassis which uses hydro-forming to give it a stiffer, more lightweight design. This new architecture is already on duty on the new Scorpio and has greatly helped improve its driving dynamics; we expect the updated Quanto to follow suit. In terms of powerplant, the Quanto facelift will continue with the 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel unit and for the first time, an automated-manual transmission-equipped variant will also be on offer. Mahindra is readying two all-new compact SUVs for our market, known internally as the S101 and the U301. Both are expected
UNiTeD NATiONS, April 19 (pTi): India is the fifth biggest producer of e-waste in the world, discarding 1.7 million tonnes (Mt) of electronic and electrical equipment in 2014, a UN report has said warning that the volume of global e-waste is likely to rise sharply by 21% in next three years. The ‘Global E-Waste Monitor 2014’, compiled by UN’s think tank United Nations University (UNU), said at 32 per cent, the US and
China produced the most e-waste overall in 2014. Most e-waste in the world in 2014 was generated in Asia at 16 Mt or 3.7 kg per inhabitant. The top three Asian nations with the highest e-waste generation in absolute quantities are China (6.0 Mt), Japan (2.2 Mt) and India (1.7 Mt). The top per capita producers by far are the wealthy nations of northern and western Europe, the top 5 being Norway, Switzerland, Iceland,
Denmark, and the UK. The lowest amount of ewaste per inhabitant was generated in Africa (1.7 kg/inhabitant). The continent generated 1.9 Mt of e-waste in total. In 2014, people worldwide discarded all but a small fraction of an estimated 41.8 Mt of electrical and electronic equipment -- mostly end-of-life kitchen, laundry and bathroom equipment like microwave ovens, washing machines and dishwashers.
The volume of e-waste is expected to rise by 21% to 50 Mt in 2018, said the report, which details the location and composition of the world’s fast-growing e-waste problem. While only 7% of ewaste last year was made up of mobile phones, calculators, personal computers, printers, and small information technology equipment, almost 60% was a mix of large and small equipment used in homes and businesses.
After unseasonal rains, Mango set to be a ‘VIP’ this season One of the new Mahindra SUVs set to release this year is seen here covered up on a test drive. (File Photo)
to hit Indian showrooms sometime this year. While the S101 is a monocoque architecture-based compact SUV, the U301 – also a sub-four-metre SUV –will be based on a ladder-frame set up. The U301 will be equipped with the same 1.5-litre motor that does duty on the Quanto, mated to manual as well as AMT gearboxes. Mahindra is also likely to offer AWD on the U301 compact SUV at a
later stage. The S101 will come with an all-new 1.2-litre diesel as well as a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine which will be derived from a larger powerplant. All engines powering the S101 compact SUV will be based on Mahindra’s new engine family. While the S101 is expected to be a direct rival to the likes of the EcoSport, the U301, also touted as the “new” Bolero by many, is expected to fill the gap be-
tween the current Bolero and the updated and more upmarket Scorpio. Mahindra will also bring in the updated XUV500 very soon. Apart from cosmetic tweaks on the outside, it is expected to come with an Aisin sixspeed gearbox. With the Aisin auto gearbox mated to the capable 2.2-litre mHawk motor, the XUV500 could have good potential in several international markets too.
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LEISURE
Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”
SUDOKU Game Number # 3200
lUckNOw, April 19 (iANS): ‘Aam’ or the mango - the summer delight for millions across India - might finally be a ‘VIP’ this season. This, as unseasonal rains have wreaked havoc on the harvest and production is likely to dip by over 30 percent. While heavy and gutsy winds have brought down most of the ‘baur’ (mango flower), much of the remaining has been hit by fungal attack due to moisture. Mango growers in Uttar Pradesh rue the fact that unseasonal rain, hailstorms and inclement weather could actually spike the harvest further, leaving fewer mangoes and out of reach of commoners. The prices, they warn, are going to rise steeply. The western belt of mango orchards and the Mallihabad belt have taken the brunt of the rain over the past few weeks.
In Saharanpur, 70-75 per cent of the mango crop has been damaged, leaving growers haunted with the spectre of “very poor yield”. The crop damage becomes more worrying as last year, the extreme heat of June had damaged the mangoes. With the temperatures comparatively low in April, mango growers point out that the fruit will take time to ripen and could miss the domestic and export markets. Shabi-ul-Hasan, a major mango exporter from Saharanpur, said he is keeping his fingers crossed for the next few weeks, adding that “as of now, the crop has been badly hit” owing to the rains. The western belt of UP - Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Shamli, Saharanpur, Syana in Bulandshahr, Shikarpur and Gulawathi - export more than 200 tonnes of various mango
DAILY CROSS WORD
CROSSWORD # 3210
Answer Number # 3199
varieties to the Gulf countries, Europe and the US. In 2014, the crop damage was not as bad as this year and the exports had dropped to a mere 40 tonnes. Mango exporters are worried that this year could “render a body blow” to the harvest. The Rataul mangoes, which make Baghpat a favoured export centre, has also witnessed extensive damage. The situation is similar in Mallihabad, neighbouring state capital of Lucknow, where the famous Dussehri variety comes from. Mango is grown over almost 300,000 hectares and the yield varies from 3.5-4.2 million tonnes. While a sizeable chunk is exported, the rest is consumed domestically. So, brace up for the sweet mango season to be slightly bitter and out of reach!
DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:
STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency229529, 229474
Metro Hospital:
227930, 231081
Faith Hospital:
228846
Shamrock Hospital
228254
Zion Hospital:
231864, 224117, 227337
Police Control Room
228400
Police Traffic Control
232106
East Police Station West Police Station
227607 232181
CIHSR (Referral Hospital)
242555/ 242533
Dimapur hospital
224041, 248011
Apollo Hospital Info Centre:
230695/ 9402435652
Railway:
131/228404
Indian Airlines
229366
Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre
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Boxers MOHAMMADALI JACKJOHNSON JOELOUIS ROCKYMARCIANO JIMBRADDOCK MAXBAYER MAXSCHELLING JOEFRAZIER SONNYLISTON GEORGEFOREMAN RAYLEONARD HECTORCAMACHO MANNYPACQUIAO FLOYDMAYWEATHER ROYJONES LENNOXLEWIS EVANDERHOLYFIELD DAVIDHAY VITALIYKLITSCHKO VLADIMIRKLITSCHKO
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N O S N H O J K C A J U O V F O V M S N
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H R V W K P N H A I D Y G A S U A S E N
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M C K U N I O R F M N I Y N A G O H X Y
M V T R V D A D A G Y Y D W B S E E O L
A I K A O M E Y D K P F P N Y D L L N I
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A V O K O E P I H V R L E L C I A I E T
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R D H N C D N R H T V Y X I A P X I I B
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R I K V L A D I M I R K L I T S C H K O
P O G D M F L N A M E R O F E G R O E G
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P P L Z J O E F R A Z I E R I A D Y Q D
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ACROSS
1. Hurried swallows 6. Historical periods 10. Killer whale 14. Allowed 15. A dog wags one 16. Laser light 17. Unavoidable 19. Tibetan monk 20. Present-day 21. What we sleep on 22. Frosts 23. Drive 25. Community spirit 26. Protective ditch 30. Heavy and filling food 32. Enfold 35. Provide commentary 39. Impassive 40. Trader 41. Notwithstanding 43. Herringbone 44. Countenance 46. Feudal worker 47. Lukewarm 50. Promised 53. “Oh my!” 54. Female sib 55. Afternoon nap 60. Short skirt 61. Ownership
63. Cocoyam 64. Hodgepodge 65. Unit of gold purity 66. University administrator 67. Rewards for waiting 68. Soft leather
DOWN
1. Slender 2. Drunkard 3. Chilled 4. Transfer possession 5. Mixes 6. Estimated time of arrival 7. A rectangular groove 8. Control surface on a plane 9. Sleigh 10. Destroy completely 11. Stretch 12. Anaglyph 13. Accumulate 18. Explosive 24. Clairvoyant’s gift 25. Everglades bird 26. Netting 27. Savvy about 28. Affirm 29. Video entertainment 31. Early 20th-century art movement 33. Enraged
34. Poems 36. Beers 37. Small slender gull 38. Sea eagle 42. A pasta dish 43. Church bench 45. Gabfest 47. Domesticated 48. Leave out 49. Chinese “bear” 51. East southeast 52. Flat circular plates 54. Smudge 56. Brother of Jacob 57. “Your majesty” 58. Tailless amphibian 59. Initial wager 62. Mayday Ans to CrossWord 3209
Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home: Northeast Shuttles
STD CODE: 0370 100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923
CHUMUKEDIMA: 03862 282777/101 (O) 9856158740 (OC)
MOKOKCHUNG: 0369 2226225/ 101 (O) 9436012949 (OC) PHEK: 8414853765 (O) 9862130954(OC) ZUNHEBOTO: 03867 280304/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC)
MON: 03869 251222/ 101 (O) 9436208480 (OC) KipHire: 8414853767 (O) 8974304572 (OC)
Toll free No. 1098 childline
Police Station 1:
DIMAPUR: 03862 232201/ 101 (O) 9436017479 (OC)
TUENSANG: 8414853766 (O) 8414853519
CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE
MOKOKCHUNG:
KOHIMA: 0370 2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC)
WOKHA: 03860 242215/101 (O) 9862039399 (OC)
Chumukedima Fire 282777 Brigade Nikos Hospital and 232032, 231031 Research Centre
KOHIMA
FIRE STATIONS
STD CODE: 0369
2226241
Police Station 2 :
2226214
Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:
2226216 2226263
Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):
2226373/2229343
TAHAMZAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade
CURRENCY NOTES
222246 222491
BUY(Rs)
SELL(Rs)
US Dollars Sterling Pound Hong Kong Dollar Australian Dollar Singapore Dollar Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen
60.91 90.83 7.6 47.29 45.07 49.87 50.84
63.69 95.26 8.47 49.63 47.32 52.35 54.15
Euro
65.55
68.75
Thai Baht Korean Won New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan
1.82
2.03
0.0543
0.0605
46.57
48.89
9.52
10.61
LOCAL
The Morung Express
Training on Value links held KohiMA, APril 19 (Mexn): A five day training programme on Value Links was held in Kohima from April 13 to 17 A press release received here informed that the programme was organised by the Climate Change Adaptation-North East Region (CCA-NER) project of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ). More than 25 participants from Sikkim, Meghalaya and Nagaland, representing their states, attended the training programme which aims to provide state-ofthe-art know-how on applying the value chain concept in development co-operation following the Value Links methodology developed by GIZ. The training was conducted by a two member team of experts from GIZ, one international and one national expert. The CCA-NER project has a strong focus on climate smart value chain.
The Value Links Training programme is intended to serve personnel from line departments and consultants working in development agencies associated with promoting value chains keeping in mind environmental sustainability and pro-poor growth. Speaking at the valedictory function on April 17, Team Leader NEPED and Commissioner and Secretary, Menukhol John, stated that knowledge on
MEx FILE
Value Links is the need of the hour for Nagaland to market its products. He expressed hope that the state will be able to form a core team of people trained in value chain concept so that the knowledge gained from the training can be applied at work and others may also benefit from the training programme. Imkonglemba Ao, Agricultural Production Commissioner (APC), shared his experiences
and gave insights into the field of agriculture in Nagaland. The APC took keen interest in the training programme and attended various sessions of the training and interacted with participants. Certificates of the training programme were given to the participants by Mercy Epao, Director, Ministry of Development of North East Region and Dr. Uwe Scholz, Project Director, CCA-NER (GIZ).
Corrigendum
CNC condoles DiMAPur, APril 19 (Mexn): The Council of Nagalim Churches has expressed pain at the demise of Disiremang. A condolence message from CNC General Secretary, Rev. Seksim Kasar, stated that the late Disiremang was a voluntary Evangelist for so many years and later became an appointed Evangelist of CNC among the Herakka people of his area a few years. “We cannot forget but will remember his service with us,” the message stated.
Awareness prog on child rights KohiMA, APril 19 (Mexn): A one day awareness programme at district level and block level on child rights and street to school campaign will take place on April 24 at 10:00 AM at LCS Building, Kohima. Held under the aegis of District Child Protection Unit, Kohima, the programme is an initiative of the State Child Protection Society- Nagaland and is a project under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, called “Integrated Child Protection Scheme.” Highlights of ICPS and Child Rights will be given by Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe, society director SCPS. The function will be chaired by Megoneituo, legal cum probation officer.
Two arrested with ganja KohiMA, APril 19 (Mexn): A joint team of Kohima Police and 13 NAP (IR) took two persons into police custody for illegal possession and transportation of contraband marijuana. According to a press release from the SDPO & PRO Kohima Police, on April 17, the joint team intercepted a Maruti Alto bearing Regd. No. AS 01S 8882 and detected 40 Kgs of contraband Marijuana (Ganja) concealed in the vehicle. The two were identified as Lhitewe D Vadeo (43 yrs) and Atsole Tsito (40 yrs). In this connection, a regular case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act has been registered against them.
Stolen vehicle recovered KohiMA, APril 19 (Mexn): Kohima police on April 18 around 3:30 pm recovered a vehicle (Scorpio), which was stolen from Chandigarh. The vehicle bearing registration number NL-07-7659, chassis number – MA1TB2GCK72G87447 and engine number – GC74G67361 was intercepted at Peducha Check Gate on suspicion and on thorough checking it was found to be stolen from Chandigarh, informed a press release issued by Sub-Divisional Police Officer & PRO, Kohima police. The case is in reference to South Sector-34 Chandigarh P.S Case No. 0140/2008, the release said, adding the driver of the vehicle has been identified as Thiputo Kezo (28 yrs). The Kohima Police will be registering a case and also get in touch with Chandigarh Police for taking further actions, the release said.
BJP workshop on April 25 DiMAPur, APril 19 (Mexn): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nagaland Unit will hold a State level workshop or the Mahasampark Abhiyan (Mega contact program) on April 25 at 11 AM at the BJP Head Office in Dimapur. A press release received here has directed the district BJP President, General Secretary, district Convener and CoConvener of Mahasampark Abhiyan to attend the same without fail. BJP Central office, New Delhi will depute a resource person to explain the nature of work, the release informed. The press release also directed the district convener to consult with the district President and appoint Mandal Convener and Co-Convener for Mahasampark Abhiyan and submit the list during the workshop.
20 April 2015
Dimapur
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ECI acknowledged letters of withdrawal: NPF (Noke) DiMAPur, APril 19 (Mexn): The Noke-led Naga People’s Front has stated that the ECI has “acknowledged” the letter of withdrawal submitted by Noke Wangnao and Nuzota Swuro. A press statement from the Press and Media Cell, NPF maintained that the order has a distinct decision of the Commission. It quoted Paras 5 and 6 of the ECI order dated 18th April, 2015 and stated, “It is clear from these two final paras of the
said order that the ECI has acknowledged the letter of withdrawal submitted by Noke Wangnao and Nuzota Swuro, and thus the subsequent decision and directives from the Commission.” The statement in Para 5 of the ECI order reads: “In view of the position conveyed in the letter dated 16th April 2015 the Commission has decided that there is no need to pass any orders on the applications of Dr. Shurhozelie referred to above, seeking direc-
tions and clarifications.” Para 6 of the ECI order reads: “As already directed in the order of 27th March, 2015, the outcome of the reconciliation process held for resolving the dispute should be submitted to the Commission as early as possible after appropriate procedures prescribed in the party constitution are completed.” The Press and Media Cell stated that among its many functions, the ECI as a permanent Constitutional body also ensures inner party de-
mocracy of political parties. “Therefore even though the letter of withdrawal was submitted and accepted, it is still under the purview of the commission that the resultant outcome of the process of reconciliation be duly reported,” it stated. Appealing to all to refrain from undermining the process of reconciliation put forward by both groups, the Noke (NPF) maintained that the reconciliation is in the best interest of the Naga people.
The Youth Ministry Dimapur Ao Baptist Church conducted an activity based leadership programme on April 17 & 18 at Universal Prayer Home, Mon Bosti with Moa Jamir and Apok Jamir from Access Sports Ministry Dimapur as resource persons. Altogether 131 youth leaders attended the program.
LYO condemn bomb blasts Withee Bible College holds graduation programme
KohiMA, APril 19 (Mexn): The Lerie Youth Organisation, Lerie Colony, Kohima has vehemently condemned the series of bomb blasts which occurred on April Apropos the photo caption on MCA Operation Sadbha- 15 and 16 along NH-2 near CRPF camp in Lerie. Expressing concern that such incidents are taking place in the vana which appeared in The Morung Express on April State Capital, LYO drew the attention of every concerned 18, Chingmel Village mentioned in the first line should organisations, Tribal Hohos, Panchayats, local bodies have been read as Washelo Village, Phek District. and citizens to extend their support towards eliminating such “anti social deeds from our Society.” The condemnation from LYO President William Koso requested the authorities concerned to initiate immediate investigations KohiMA, APril 19 (Mexn): Apropos the news item and take measures to book the culprits responsible at the on arrests of bike lifters, which appeared in local dailies earliest. LYO further informed that it has resolved to stand on April 17, the L. Khel Youth Organisation (LYO) has by the resolution taken by Ward 16 on the issue. clarified that one of the accused Vilazo Roland Chiesotsu, given as son of Vithanyü Chiesotsu, L. Khel Kohima Village is not a member of L Khel community. A clarification issued by LYO president Kethosituo Mepfhüo and general secretary Thepfuvizo Vizo said that Vithanyü Chiesotsu (the alleged father) has clarified that the accused is the son of one Late Robin (a Manipuri) and Mezhülhoubeiü, and is in no way related to him. LYO further issued a stern warning to the accused for tarnishing the image of L. Khel and appealed to the law enforcing agency to hand him severe punishment for the “despicable offence” committed.
LYO clarifies
Monday
Morung Express News Dimapur | April 19
Withee Bible College held its 11th Graduation Programme at the College Auditorium today. A total of 25 were awarded degrees in four different fields of theology – 11 received degrees in Bachelors of Theology, 3 in Bachelor of Missiology, 1 Master of Divinity and 10 Master of Missiology. Annual Awards for academic excellence and other achievements were also given to the graduating students. For obtaining the highest average cumulative grade point, Kheholi Sumi (BTh), Vivika Chishi (MM) and Inatoli Aye (MDiv) received the Principal Award for Best Academic Excellence. For demonstrating outstanding performances in the art of preaching, Vitoka Chophi (BTh) and M Pangle (MM) received the Kakheli V Chishi Award for Best Homiletic. For demonstrating outstanding Christian Character, Vekuto N Rhakho (BTh) received the Hovili V Chishi Memorial Award for Best Christian Character while the Zhesheli Swu Memorial Award for Best Chapel Attendance was awarded to Vivika (BTh) and Vekuto N Rhakho. Rev. Hokugha Zhimomi, ExecuMGM Hr Sec School in Dimapur together with parents and students held Pre Primary Fancy Dress & Ethnic tive Secretary, SBAK, Nito Mount, Wear competition for its KG students recently. was the main speaker on the oc-
A graduating student being conferred her degree during the 11th Graduation Programme of Withee Bible College held at the College on Sunday.
casion. Rev. Dr. Vikishe Chishi, Founder and Principal, led the conferring of awards and degrees. The Principal also said a prayer commissioning the graduates. Earlier, Rev. Tonlong, Senior Pas-
tor, Konyak Baptist Church Dimapur delivered the invocation prayer while the graduating class performed a special song. Inatoli Aye delivered a speech on behalf of the graduating students.
DHS Peren holds Street Play on ‘Teenage Pregnancy and Early Marriage’ Peren, APril 19 (Mexn): A street play on “Teenage Pregnancy and Early Marriage” focusing on Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health (ARSH) was conducted by the District Health Society, Chief Medical Office Peren in collaboration with Adolescent Club – whose members are from Peren Town Baptist Church Sunday School Department – along with District IEC Team National Health Mission conducted on April 18 at Kipeuzang Village, Peren District. A press release received here informed that the play was conducted in the local Zeliang dialect with an aim to educate and create awareness on teenage pregnancy and early marriage, its causes, risk factors and consequences. Adolescent Club enacting a street play on ‘Teenage Pregnancy and Early Marriage’ at The adolescent period, which covers Kipeuzang Village, Peren District on April 18.
the age of 10-19 years, is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. Adolescence is a distinct and important biological and social stage of development and adolescent pregnancy/marriage continues to be a complex and challenging issues for families, Health workers, societies and adolescents themselves. The play was conducted at a junction where people from different age groups gathered to watch the play. The club members sang songs before the start of the play. After the play ended, announcements were made about the facilities one can avail of, such as the STI and HIV testing facilities in the District and the Adolescent Health Clinics at the District Hospital in Peren and Community Health Centre in Jalukie.
Public SPace
A
On ‘Senior citizen expresses concern of ILP’
very big kudos to one of our elder by the name of Sezo, who expressed his concern for our land our children in the esteemed dailies recently. It is really worth mentioning that such elders are truly rare amongst our midst today. Only if the present leaders in our government, churches and civil organisations realizes the dangers of annihilation of our Naga people by illegal immigrants which is not very far off if the present trend of the unabated influx is not checked or stopped immediately. Recently, the Kohima police who apprehended 35 ILP defaulters deserves a big salute and a thousand claps from everyone. Wish our other district police and administrations also learn something from their Kohima counterpart. It is very sad that our present day leaders are only much concerned for their own prestige and chairs knowing the doom which awaits our land and our children. Do they ever wonder what’s going
to happen to all their wealth, status and power after they’re gone? Were those things more important or their coming generations? Remember, my leaders, you have to answer your maker sooner or later for what you have done for your people and your land when He calls you back. You should be able to answer what deeds you did to safeguard your own kindred. If you really want to start working for your land as true sons and daughters of your own beloved soil, lets start today by the issue of the Inner Line Permit first. 1. All Inner Line Permits (ILPs) guarantor should have a photograph affixed of a guarantor along with the ILP holder in the document so that he/she will responsible for any crime committed or overstays the time period of the ILP. 2. Only one ILP per one guarantor must be allotted so that the number of ILPs issued is not used for vested interests and other devious schemes. This system will
curb the dalal system of some person making easy through issuing ILPs unlimited and randomly. 3 All necessary documents like birth certificates, indigenous certificates, scheduled tribe certificate must be attached with the ILP guarantor form. 4. ILP s should be personally verified by DCs/ SPs personally so that various anomalies and loopholes such as in the issuance of aadhar card, ration card, residential certificates,LPGs card etc. are not manipulated by persons who look for easy money without knowing the dangers posed to our future generations. 5. It should be made mandatory for all ILP applicants to produce a medical fitness certificates or a blood test results certificate from proper medical authority. 6. Physical presence of both the ILP applicant as well as the guarantor should be done before the district magistrate while applying or renewing of ILP.
7. There should be a nodal agency in every department that should be on a rotation basis which should be transparent and accountable for verifying and issuing of ILPs/Driving licences/ Trade permits etc. so that it does not become corrupted or manipulative. Such measure will ensure safeguarding our inherent rights from illegal aliens. 8. Total number of ILPs allotted to each district annually should be limited so that our land will not be swallowed by illegal immigrants which we are witnessing now. 9.ILPs should not be renewed for more than a limited number per year, say three times and should be re-issued only after a lapse of a year or two of its expiry .So that the indigenous citizens and the Naga people will be saved. 10 .ILP defaulters and their guarantors should be strictly dealt with and their names published in the newspapers or
names/photos displayed outside the DC/ SP’s office so that every citizen becomes serious in preserving our land for our children. My dear fellow Nagas, should we remain as mute spectators and keep on playing our petty divisive games or should we all come together and unite as one when the outsiders and divisive forces are so much determined to snatch away our land, jobs and everything? Please forget all your past misunderstandings and come together as one people with one goal to strengthen the cause for a land which belongs to ours. It is our God-given bounden duty to preserve and secure it for our children .Or else, both of us will be doing an unpardonable deed to our coming generations. Anyone who does not love his own people and land can be rightly called as a traitor, anti-Naga and a betrayer. Kuholi Chishi, Dimapur
The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper. Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.
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IN-FOCUS
The Power of Truth
The Morung Express MonDAy 20 APrIl 2015 voluME X IssuE 106
Along Longkumer Consulting Editor
To Govern Dimapur
F
or obvious reasons now, concerns have been raised from several quarters on the need to strengthen the overall administration and security apparatus of Dimapur. For several years now, this writer has repeatedly broached on this subject in the hope of seeing some concrete policy measures being taken by the authorities. Only a few weeks back (before the infamous March 5 lynching incident) this column under the editorial ‘Policy, Governance and IBIs’ had mentioned about the need to “create a sound mechanism that will involve framing of a clear cut security plan, able administration, strong-effective policing…” and that “the State government should seriously consider expanding both civil and police administration in Dimapur district or atleast streamlining work forces for better coordination and effect on the ground”. Over the years, the commercial hub of Dimapur has become a junction for robust trade, commerce and industry, attracting a lot of outsiders who come and make a living. For Nagas too, from near and far, including from outside the State, Dimapur is a preferred choice for work and residence, not to forget the opportunities that it provides. As a result of these factors, it is but natural that Dimapur has become a meeting point for people- both Nagas and non-Nagas— and therefore the greater task remains to ensure peace, harmony and the challenges facing Dimapur in terms of maintaining law and order, providing civic amenities and sustainable development. Dimapur therefore needs a strong-efficient administration, police force and municipal authority that can all deliver. The decision to have a ‘Police Commissionerate System’ in Dimapur is therefore welcome and a step in the right direction. It may be mentioned that the political establishment had in the past toyed with the idea of community policing to maintain law and order. It was the considered opinion of this writer that in a cosmopolitan place like Dimapur, giving responsibility to the community for policing ran the risk of encouraging mob action or vigilante justice as in the case of what happened on March 5, 2015. And therefore this column had always maintained that there was no substitute to a professional police force and that instead of community policing, the State police should be strengthened in all aspect and given power and responsibility to deliver on the law and order front. Notice that an increasing number of State governments are now introducing the ‘Police Commissionerate System’ in urban towns and cities out of necessity—security challenges—as well as the gap in the existing police administration. Dimapur like any growing urban hub is expanding both in size and demography with influx of outsiders as already mentioned in the beginning of this writeup.Sticking to the old system of having an SP as the head of the police force in a district as evident by recent events was simply insufficient. The need to adapt and change according to the new challenges on the law and order front was therefore compelling enough to go for a new system, the Commissionerate system. In the new arrangement, police force will have more powers and therefore it is expected of them to be more responsible as well. Nagaland police is known for its excesses and therefore the new system should be enforced with greater restraint. It goes without saying that along with this new initiative of a Police Commissionerate System for Dimapur, similar out of the box policy measures must be taken to improve the overall district administration as well. As already suggested previously in this column, this may include the creation of zones under separate Deputy Commissioners. In this regard, we should welcome the suggestion put forward by Congress Legislative party Leader Tokheho Yepthomi who raised this matter during the just concluded Assembly Session asking for a separate Deputy Commissioner for Urban areas. The new DC office headquarter in Chumukedima is already nearing completion and yet the State government appears to be in some dilemma in shifting to the new site given the known concerns raised by some section of the people who are opposed. A way out could be to retain the present DC office in order to look after, besides the administration of old Dimapur (urban), specific tasks like ILP and border management. It is obvious that we need a concrete plan of action to govern Dimapur and therefore the State government should continue to explore on this front. (Feedback can be sent to consultingeditormex@gmail.com)
lEfT wiNg |
Mazie Nakhro, Ph.D
If Women Succeed, We All Succeed What does God say? Read Proverbs 31:1-31 Little is known about King Lemuel. But whatever his identity may be, the important thing is that he was a king who wanted to share his mother’s wisdom on how to be a good ruler (vv. 1-9) and how to find a wife of noble character (vv. 10-31), thereby stressing the role a mother has in her children. Usually, a mother plays the primary role in forming the conviction or building the character of her children. In the history of kings in Israel, many mothers played the main influence in shaping the character of their children. For example, Jeremiah said of King Zedekiah, “His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD” (Jer. 52:1-2). If the kings were wicked, their mothers seemed to be largely responsible for the way their children turned out (1 Kings 14:21-22; 15:2-3; 2 Kings 8:18; 8:26-27; 21:1-2, 19-20; 23:31-32, 36-37; 24:8-9; 18-19). But if the kings had godly character and ruled well, that would seem to have a lot to do with their mothers’ positive influence on their children (1 Kings 15:10-11; 22:42-43; 2 Kings 11:2-3; 12:1-2;14:2-3;15:2-3, 33-34; 22:1-2). The American Experiment George Washington, the Father of the America’s nation, said, “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” As for status of women in American history, Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902), a seminary graduate, led the women’s rights movement. She became the primary author of the Declaration of Sentiments based on the language of the Declaration of Independence. The document detailed the social injustices toward women at that time. Although she did not live to see the fruit of her work, the voting rights of women finally became a reality in 1920 during the rule of Woodrow Wilson. This was how the spirit of Independence was converted into gender equality. Since then, the women of America have come a long way. Today, they have proved themselves to be no less capable than their male counterparts in all career fields. Recognizing this fact, President Obama said in his State of the Union Address on January 28, 2014, “If women succeed, America succeeds.” Okay, so now what? We Nagas cannot prosper as a society if we deny opportunity to half of our people. We must recognize that we need women as much as they need us in building a better Naga future. That is, we need their intuition, their refinement, their intelligence, their influence and their participation to create a better society. Taken from the book “Breakfast with the King: The 100-Day Devotional” by Mazie Nakhro
THE EDIT PAGE
C O M M E N T A R Y
Richard Falk CommonDreams
The Geopolitical Right of Exception at the UN
T
he notorious, yet influential, German jurist, Carl Schmitt famously insisted that ‘a right of exception’ was the core reality of national sovereignty. By this he meant that internal law could be put aside by ‘the sovereign,’ inhering as the crux of the relationship between state and society. In this regard international law has no overriding claim of authority with respect to sovereign states, at least from the perspective of statist jurisprudence. This discretion to ignore or violate law is distinct from submission to law as a realistic adaptation by weak states to political realities or compliance undertaken voluntarily for pragmatic reasons of convenience and mutual benefit. When the UN was established, it was configured, to appeal both to realist minds who were eager to show that they had learned the lesson of Munich and to those architects of international cooperation that did not want the folly of the League of Nations, seen as a politically irrelevant sanctuary for utopians and dreamers to be repeated in this newly created organization. To achieve these ends the UN Charter vested only the UN Security Council with the power of decision (as distinct from recommendations), and limited its membership originally to nine states of which the five designated winners of World War II were given both permanent membership, and more importantly, a right of veto. In effect, the right of veto was a constitutional right of exception embedded in the UN Charter. It formulated the master procedural rule of the Charter as one that allowed permanent members of the Security Council to block any decision that was perceived to be sufficiently against their national interests or those of its friends. Just as Woodrow Wilson falsely misled the world with his pledge after World War I of ‘making the world safe for democracy’ the UN was more effectively manipulated into the actuality of ‘making the world safe for geopolitics.’ In effect, the UN was set up on the basis that it would never be strong enough to challenge these five major states, and that its effectiveness would rest on two possibilities: sustaining the voluntary cooperation that had worked successfully during World War II to thwart European fascism and Japanese imperialism or cooperating on issues of secondary concern in the peace and security area on which the permanent members could agree and persuade enough non-permanent term members to lend support. As was discovered several decades ago, these permanent members could only agree on what to do in the Security Council on the rarest of occasions, and that decisions relating to secondary issues, although often useful, left the really dangerous conflicts beyond the reach of the UN. The UN also committed itself to respect territorial sovereignty of its members, and by virtue of Article 2(7) of the Charter, placed all forms of civil strife beyond its writ unless the Security Council agreed that there were present substantial threats to international peace and security. This constitutional right of exception to some extent contradicts the basic imperative of the Organization “to save succeeding generations from
I
f you are reading this article, consider yourself one of the lucky ones; lucky enough to have received an education, or to be secure in the knowledge that your child will receive one. Lucky enough to be literate in a world where – more often than not – the ability to read and write can mean the difference between a decent life and abject poverty. In the 15 years since the landmark World Education Forum in Senegal’s capital Dakar laid out six ambitious education targets agreed upon by 164 governments, a lot has changed. For one thing, 34 million more children have attended school as a result of policies rolled out under the Education for All (EFA) initiative; the number of children out of school has been halved since the year 2000; and many countries have made great strides towards bringing as many girls into classrooms as boys. But dig a little deeper and the good news gives way to a bleak reality. According to the most recent EFA Global Monitoring Report released Thursday by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), “There are still 58 million children out of school globally and around 100 million children who do not complete primary education. Inequality in education has increased, with the poorest and most disadvantaged shouldering the heaviest burden. “The world’s poorest children are four times more likely not to go to school than the world’s richest children, and five times more likely not to complete primary school,” the report stated, adding, “Despite all efforts by governments, civil society and the international community, the world has not achieved Education for All.” Six goals: A mixed report card Given the vast spectrum of cultures, economies and political ideologies represented by the 164 governments in Dakar in 2000, the six targets agreed upon reflected some of the most urgent and universal challenges facing the world today: early childhood
the scourge of war” that is set forth in the Preamble to the Charter. To the extent that major wars have been avoided during the lifetime of the UN it is not due to the efforts of the Organization. It is rather a consequence of deterrence, and geopolitical selfrestraint and prudence, which were greatly encouraged by the awareness that any war fought with nuclear weapons would be a catastrophe regardless of which side prevailed. Major wars were prevented by a reliance on traditional notions of balance, containment, and countervailing power fine tuned for the realities of the nuclear age. These were realist instruments of statecraft associated with the European state system as adapted to the distinctive contemporary challenges. In the over 400 pages of his 2014 book, World Order, Henry Kissinger, the realist par excellence of this era, hardly mentions the UN, and accords it no significant role in shaping or even misshaping the ‘world order’ in the 21st century. The UN is simply seen as a diplomatic sideshow. He sees the present world order need to be primarily concerned with incorporating the nonWestern major states, especially China, in an enlarged conception of a state system that is based on European ideas. For this process of incorporation to occur smoothly it will be essential that Westphalian logic of statism be newly perceived as reflecting the values and worldview of these diverse civilizations, and no longer be understood as an integral aspect of the Western world domination project. Although the UN is a disappointment when it comes to ‘war prevention’ or the encouragement of a global rule of law, it has managed to achieve universality of membership. Unlike the League that failed to induce the United States to join and lost along the way several important members, the UN has neither expelled countries from its ranks nor have states withdrawn. The Organization has proved sufficiently useful as a site of diplomatic interaction and contestation that every government regardless of ideology or outlook finds it useful to participate in its activities. Even Israel that consistently complains loudly about the flawed and biased character of the UN, still tries with all its diplomatic ingenuity to influence its various activities in directions consistent with its foreign policy. What has received too little attention so far is what I would call ‘the geopolitical right of exception’ that is quite distinct from the constitutional veto, but at least as pernicious from the perspective of enabling the UN to promote the human interest in its actions throughout the world. The geopolitical right of exception reflects the ability of one or more political actor in the world to promote or undermine policies that express its particular interest. In UN contexts the geopolitical right of exception allows a state to prevent the implementation of behavior that has been otherwise given formal approval. For instance, in the UN Human Rights Council there is no operative constitutional right of exception, and this allows certain steps to be taken on the basis of majority approval. Yet when it comes to implementation or enforcement, acting behind the scenes, threatening fund-
ing cuts and actions for and against a high official, the political will of the Organization is effectively resisted and controlled. For instance, Israel despite ignoring strongly backed UN General Assembly resolutions dealing with such matters as refugees, Jerusalem, the separation wall, has been able to be defiant over the course of decades without experiencing any inter-governmental adverse consequences, and this is because it is protected by the United States exercise of its geopolitical right of exception on its behalf. The availability of such a geopolitical right is in direct proportion to the perceived hierarchy of hard and soft power in the world, which has meant that since World War II, the United States far more than any other political actor has enjoyed a geopolitical right of exception within the UN. The existence of this geopolitical right of exception undermines the legitimacy and effectiveness of the UN. It is integral to regimes of double standards, and cuts directly against the grain of global justice that seeks to treat equals as equally as possible. It also implicitly endorses backroom strong arm tactics and procedural manipulation, as well as modifies and distorts the rights and duties of membership in the UN. Overcoming the geopolitical right of exception would require its repudiation by the United States, in particular, through a recognition that its exercise is incompatible with the search for a peaceful, just, sustainable, and more participatory form of world order. Because it is often exercised invisibly, this geopolitical right is also a vehicle of influence relied upon by private sector corporate and financial interests that are contrary to the global public interest. At present, it seems hopelessly out of touch to expect any moves by the American and other powerful governments to forego the benefits of the geopolitical right of veto. Because its exercise is neither claimed nor acknowledged, there can be no accountability, thus operating in a manner that is contrary to the democratic spirit. The constitutional veto has the benefit of discourse and debate as various political actors try to offer convincing reasons for casting a veto to block a Security Council decision. For this very reason the geopolitical right of exception is often a more desirable option than the constitutional right if the policy or position being promoted is unpopular with public opinion and other governments. The U.S. Government struggles often behind the scenes at the UN to provide effective support for Israel in ways that get the job done without having to achieve such an unpopular result by a seemingly arbitrary reliance on its veto. Unless a full-fledged world government were to be established, which seems slightly less likely than awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Vladamir Putin, there is no prospect of any renunciation of the geopolitical right of exception at the UN in the foreseeable future. The best that can be hoped for is a recognition of its existence and role, some sort of greater self-restraint exhibited in its exercise, and critical commentary by those who conceive of their political identity as that of ‘citizen pilgrims.’
781 Million People Can’t read this story Kanya D'Almeida Inter Press Service education and care; universal primary education; youth and adult skills; adult literacy; gender equality; and the quality of education. Although the pre-primary school enrolment rate has improved by twothirds since 1999, and the primary net enrolment rate is set to reach 93 percent by the end of the year, the fact remains that one in six children in low or middle-income countries – roughly one million kids in total – will not be in school at the time of the 2015 deadline. Only 69 percent of countries studied will have achieved gender parity at the primary level by 2015, a number that falls to just 48 percent for secondary education. Although governments agreed in 2000 to halve the global illiteracy rate by 2015, a four-percent reduction is all that has so far been achieved. Katie Malouf Bous, a policy advisor for Oxfam International based in Washington DC, told IPS the results of the monitoring report showed “a mixed bag, very uneven across different countries.” She stressed that the widening of inequalities in education access and outcomes was a worrying trend, adding that there is an urgent need to “redouble investments in public education and make sure those investments are being targeted at the right communities and children.” According to a March 2015 UNESCO policy paper, “The annual total cost of achieving universal pre-primary, primary and lower secondary educa-
tion in low and lower-middle income countries is projected to increase from 100 billion dollars in 2012 to 239 billion dollars, on average, between 2015 and 2030.” The policy brief went on to say that “the total annual financing gap between available domestic resources and the amount necessary to reach the new education targets is projected to average 22 billion dollars between 2015 and 2030.” This funding gap proves that most governments are failing to allocate the required 20 percent of national budgets, or four percent of annual gross national product (GNP), on education.
wRiTE-wiNg
Asia-Pacific: Is the region pulling its weight? According to Oxfam’s Bous, “One of the things we’re really worried about is the trend we see of the state pushing some of its responsibilities on to the private sector, and focusing on lowcost private schools or public-private partnerships to deliver education.” “We believe this is only deepening educational inequalities, particularly in the Asia region, where a lot of donordriven initiatives are supporting lowcost private schools, which are basically profit-making schools that charge fees from poorer families […],” she explained. Home to four of the world’s six billion people, the Asia-Pacific region is rife with inequality, a situation that will only worsen unless governments take the necessary steps to educate this
massive population. Currently, onethird of all students between six and 18 years of age in South Asia attend private rather than public schools. A 2015 study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed that over 40 percent of all out-of-school adolescents live in South Asia, with Pakistan alone accounting for one-half of that figure. In a 2014 regional report tracking progress on Education for All, UNESCO noted that five of the so-called E-9 countries, defined as the world’s most populous developing nations, were in Asia: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Together, they accounted for some 45 percent of the total global enrolment in primary education and 80 percent of the Asia-Pacific region’s total enrolment in 2009, according to UNCEF. While these states have made great strides in bringing children into the classrooms, they account for millions of out-of-school youth, most of whom will never receive a proper education. This has major implications for the economic health of the entire region, which already hosts 64 percent of the world’s illiterate adults – roughly 497 million people as of 2014. While 10 countries in the region have achieved universal (99 percent or more) participation in primary education, with nine countries on track to achieve the goal by the end of the year according to UNESCO, survival rates remain a challenge, with nations like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and the Solomon Islands experiencing difficulty in retaining students up until the last year of primary school, let alone ensuring that they will enroll in – or complete – a secondary education. As the U.N. moves closer to finalising its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), education experts around the world are pushing urgently for policies that direct all necessary funds, energy and action into the classrooms – where the futures of many developing nations will either be made or broken in the coming decade.
Letters to the Editor should be sent to: The Morung Express, House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur - 797112, Or –email: morung@gmail.com All letters (including those via email) should have the full name and Postal address of the sender. Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.
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Monday
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
20 April 2015
PERSPECTIVE NEWS ANALYSIS, FEATURE AND DISCOURSE
The Morung Express
POLL RESULTS
Is factionalism weakening the spirit of nationalism in the Naga context? Some of those who voted YES had this to say: • Yes, factionalism greatly undermines the spirit of Naga nationalism. The issue of sovereignty has been given a ride on account of factionalism on tribal lines. The oldest political movement in the South-East Asia has now been reduced to a microscopic issue that has only consumed our Naga society with hatred and bloodshed. Let alone be a killing field. • Yes, Too many factions depending on the public for their survival. This weakens the common people emotionally, mentally and financially as usual. • Yes. Nationalism implies unity around a common cause. Factionalism is just the opposite. • Yes. lust for power and money have overridden Naga nationalism. • Absolutely Yes! if the factions meant for the spirit nationalism, they must defuse their differences & come under one umbrella for the Naga people. • Yes…yes…yes… with 8 factions speaking of their own story of sovereignty, it is not irrational for the Nagas to lose faith in nationalism. It is absolutely demoralizing for every genuine Naga to notice that the rate of growth of factionalism has been so consistently thriving over the past years though our national GDP slows down on the other end. Factionalism has become a popularly unpopular platform for the unemployed Nagas to earn their livelihood when all means available fails to get them a job. Nationalism or sovereignty is never the topic the so called mighty NSCN’s chat over a cup of coffee this days. Rather they talk confidently about economics, returns and equities. Shamefully they claim each day on every single newspaper that sovereignty is their top agenda. God save the Queen. • Yes... Factionalism due to leadership crisis is weakening our nationalism. Because of this ism it is creating a division among the Naga peoples and left Nagas behind from peace and prosperity. • Yes . .. very much ! factionalism is the result of our disunity as well as our selfish attitude . By the way .... what good fruit does this weekly poll brings??? we just shares our opinion and nothing works!!!! • Yes, very much. We all know unity is strength. Factionalism is an incurable disease killing human beings all over the world. It is no wonder this disease is breaking family, clan, khel, village, tribe and our nation. Even churches are not spared. So many broken piece of church, the highest, holiest institution in a Christian life. The govt of Nagaland is also in shambles cos of factionalism among our elected representatives but we know politics is the dirtiest game in the world. NO wonder the greed of money is the root of all evil. May God save the day by giving wisdom to all concern before it is too late. But that needs prayer from the heart and not politicize prayer. • The most pertinent question before all of us today is what kind of remarkable achievement has been
brought about by various factions to the Naga peo- shared this in another post but it seems like our people? Is it the Naga way of demonstrating one’s loyalty ple have forgotten the story of the bundle of sticks. to the ‘sacred cause’ by defecting from one group to How when they were tied together it was difficult to the other persistently on the lame excuse of not mak- break them, but when they were opened as a single ing Kilonser of his choice? No never and those bunch stick each, they were easily broken. There it is!!! Evof thugs deserve to be exposed and socially outcast ery organisation that is not united and becomes sinby their respective tribes. How many tribes are open- gular and individualistic in their approach gives perly supporting factions of their choice in the present fect opportuntites to enemies to pick you off and kill time of our history at the cost of national unity? Fac- your hopes and makes sure the dream of a collective tionalism has not only weaken Naga spirit but already people that would be difficult for outside forces to conbroken our revolutionary’s spinal chord and time is trol is steadily tackled. How do they do that?? Innuindeed running unless we raise our voice today so endo and instigation along with the greed of money is that leaders of various factions listen to the voice of what slowly kills what may have started with a genuNagas. ine heart! We don't need any more factions or extra • Yes. sadly nationalism has become synonymous so called concerned organisations..What we need is with muscle-power, money, n position... reformation in existing organisations, mechanism set in them to remove inca• Yes. Factionalism has weakened the nationalpable leaders or despots and this goes for all types ism, patriotism and integrity of the Nagas as a of social and political orwhole. These days, only ganisations!. What startmoney talks and money ed as a genuine cause for the people is so diluted matters. My late grandpa never worked for money with the factions and the ugly extortion tactics that nor was he interested in money. He worked for have been raised, that the Nagas till he died with the younger generation honesty and love for his is only filled with disgust at their parisitic behaviour countrymen. • Yes, because the more and no longer know the history of who the Nagas the factions the more taxwere and what they have es the public pay. There is extortion and the fear of it. to be... everything seem The adding of another facto have a price tag these tion would mean another days! Sometimes I just group to fear and another wished they all went back subtraction of your earnto the original drawing board, each and every oring. Thus, if fear exist, the question of being patriotic ganisation who are workdoes not rise at all. Even ing with similar agendas, YES no OTHER and just rewrite from the among the factions themselves there is more competition and another ideology beginning with the same original ideology that started against the rest emerges, and already none of them it all and work it up from there as what/who started it, are listening to each other. So yes it does weaken the and give it the respect it deserves and not this fraclittle spirit of nationalism that exists. tured representation that we now see. • Sadly, it’s a big yes from me too. In our (Naga) con- • yes, not the only reason though. text, factionalism is weakening the spirit of national- • YESSSS! United we stand divided we fall!!! ism to the extent of our actual national cause being • Yes. Factionalism is the main reason...its primary lost and forgotten in the maze of personal interest. motive is craving for power and money (selfish moFew leaders who are truly concerned are left without tive) and not for national cause according to my oboption, toothless and voiceless. The voice of the pub- servation. lic though unheard so far is in unison and it is clearer • The spirit of Naga nationalism lies in the spirit of than ever its spells UNITY. May God grant our lead- unity. No unity no sovereignty. Factionalism exists solely for the purpose of fattening personal belly and ers true VISION. Amen • Yes, without a doubt it is! Most organisations in pockets. Anyone who doesn't seek unity is an enemy Nagaland are now ego organisations. You don't like of Naga nationalism. something then break away and start your own! I • A big Yes. As long as ideological difference exists
90%
3%
7%
there will be factionalism. A strong movement needs support of the masses with one common aspiration keeping aside difference. Yes, factionalism weakened our nationalism combined with Indian tactic of force and soft power approach - military, political and socio-economic. This soft power approach of the Indian won the hearts of the Nagas and thus, weakening our aspiration. • Yes, without a shadow of doubt. Some of those who voted NO had this to say: • Not really. Factionalism is only the end result of many divisive policies of the divide and rule strategy of the Indian government. The frustration is that the factional leaders don’t realize that they are being played around like toys by the Indian intelligence agencies and are being divided left and right. They should listen to the naga public more than they listen to the Indian govt. • Not factionalism, but greedy leaders are weakening the Naga nationalism..... • I strongly disagree. I feel it is the state government that is the biggest obstacle against Naga unity. The state government and politicians is the largest beneficiary of a dis-united Nagaland. Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say • FNR’s efforts to unite all the warring groups under one govt following the signing of ‘Naga Concordant’ is indeed laudable. Lets therefore encourage and support FNR to put more efforts towards achieving the set goal and at the same time pressurize the leaders of factions to pay heed to the call of Naga people and reconcile each other. Today we have more than 15 armed groups, 2NPF, Naga Hoho and ENPO, NSF and ENSF, Zeliangrong Union and Zeliangrong Baudi, Tangkhul Baptist Long and Tangkhul Baptist Christian Association to name a few and the list keep on increasing each day. Factionalism within underground, electoral political parties, churches, tribal hohos, students, etc, are indeed the sign of collective defeat even before a battle is being fought against our adversaries. • I cannot see any 'spirit of nationalism' in the factions. How can it get weakened? • The spirit of unity evolves where there is spirit of humility, forgiving, admitting wrongdoings, counting others better than oneself and listening without prejudice. All man-made problems can be resolved if only people have clean motive and positive attitude and come together to the negotiating table. However, the sad thing is that despite fully knowing that unity is indispensable in attaining the common goal, unity is often sacrificed at the altar of stubborn pride and ulterior motives. For example, at present juncture, the FNR seems to be the best available platform for unity but for reasons stated above, the factions have failed to seize the golden opportunity, chose the path of self-destruction and subjected themselves to be under siege.
Inventing Relationships – Dana Style Rwanda: How to deal with
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raveling with my grandmother, Dana Josephina Ongecha Nyo’Tenda, in a “matchbox” matatu [public taxi] in rural western Kenya could be at once hilarious and painful. You see, as soon Dana entered any public taxi, she insisted on greeting everyone in the public taxi. Her signature greeting upon settling down was a mixture of Dho’Luo and Olu’Luhya: “Amosounimirembe!” [I greet you in peace!]. Her baritone voice would cut through the silence. The timbre in her voice was infectious enough to draw any reluctant soul into some kind of conversation. A common joke amongst us grandchildren was that Dana must have swallowed some kind of amplifier when she was in her teens. Now, Dana did not simply stop with casual greetings upon entering a public taxi. For passengers who made the mistake of responding in a manner to suggest all was not well, Dana assured them the way an Apostle would do that God was, indeed, their personal watchman and that our Creator would will help them heal themselves, their animals as well as the land. Forever uncomfortable with silence in public, this Grandmother of mine would then begin this creative conversation with any passenger that would inevitably lead to an exploration of where the interlocutor came from as well as the family history. For example, Dana would gently inquire whether their home was near this river, that valley or that market. Or, was their home not near this famous woman called Nya’Rabolo on account of her audacity in turning her five acre entire farm into a banana plantation? Or, were they not related to Ja’Punda, that man famed of being as mean the donkeys he tethered in his home? All the while Dana would listen intently at every name and its connections as if trying to detect the slightest evidence of “wat” [relationship]. So, I became accustomed to Dana turning to me after a few minutes of conversation with total strangers in a public taxi to delightedly announce, with a smile, that this woman or that man was actually my relative. She would then go through a circuitous explanation of the nature of the relationship. As a child, I had quite some difficulty appreciating some of the torturous narratives of our family tree that connected our roots, stems, branches, leaves and fruits with strange people spread all over the place. For instance, Dana, would proceed to explain, diligently and with speed, how this man was related to us through a distant Auntie through marriage and how that distant Auntie is connected to some
Mirembe! by Babu Ayindo other distant Uncle “of our house” and how, in turn, that distant Uncle’s Grandfather and my own Grandfather Odera K’Ogwande somehow “suckled from the same breast.” And, as a result of which, this stranger we had just met was actually not a stranger after all; Dana would declare that this alien was now officially my own brother [amongst the Luo people we have no cousins] and I needed to begin treating him as such – instantly! As a child, I felt that if Dana did not find any evidence of any relationship, then she would simply invent one. Or, if you were not careful enough, Dana could talk to you until you became relatives! So, dear reader, one day my Grandmother tried her charm during one of her rare visits to the urban Nairobi, the capital city. I was supposed to accompany Dana to visit with our relatives in Mathare, a ghetto some 30kilometers from our place. You see, whenever my Grandparents visited the city, they preferred to stay with my Dad in Posta Mbotela in Nairobi and, inevitably, I acted as their aide-de-camp. So on this day, we boarded a Kenya Bus Service bus from Posta Mbotela and headed to the Bus Station in the central business district with the intention of boarding another one from Ambassador stage to drop us at Mlango Kubwa. From Mlango Kubwa we would proceed to meet with one my favorite Aunties who worked at the Kenya Airforce Base in the area then proceed to Mathare later in the afternoon. Now, as soon as we boarded the bus at Posta Mbotela, my Grandmother greeted everyone in the bus in her a booming tenor voice and a radiant smile. “Jo’Narobi, amosounimirembe!” [the people of Nairobi, I greet you in peace!] Silence in the bus, followed by some mumbles. “Jo’Narobi, amosou kendo, mirembeuru!” [the people of Nairobi, I greet you again in peace]. Silence in the bus followed by a cocktail of manner less mumbles, chuckles and giggles. “Jo’Narobi” my Grandmother called out for the third time “bendeuwinja? amosounimirembe!” [the people of Nairobi, are you really listening to me, I greet you again in peace!]. A few people turned
to look at Dana but majority did not heed the gracious ultimatum. Some sat in the bus silently, some smoked, others pretended to read something while others, like the proverbial ostrich, buried their heads in the sand. In short, everyone ignored my Grandmother Dana Ongecha Nyo’ Tenda Omukhanawe’ Ebusubi. None of them seemed to realize that their general behavior, according to the Dana I knew, was bordering on the criminal. Some passengers seated right in front of us made things worse. One of them who wore a red shirt mumbled some thing in Sheng’ to the effect that “inakaahuyumathasaazakezakuenda Matharendizohizo.” [Looks like the time for this woman to head to Mathare Mental hospital has come]. Dana clicked her tongue in disgust. And I knew the daughter of Ebusubi was not going to take this lying down. For Dana, this was personal. How could a fellow human being not respond to your greetings of blessings and peace? This was the kind of disrespect that Dana would not let go unchallenged. No way. As the bus hurtled past Kaloleni, City Stadium and took the right turn towards Dallas and Marikiti I knew Dana was preparing her verbal phlegm. As soon as the bus parked at the Bus Station and I whispered to my Grandmother it was time to drop off, she stood up, more as an act of defiance than a motion to alight from the bus. She walked towards the front exit before anyone else could then quickly turned around and addressed, nay, cursed the entire bus except me: “Jo’Narobi, eroituodinreka it oyieyo, ubirothochooon!” [The people of Nairobi, I see your ears are blocked like those of a mouse, you will all die very early]. Then Dana and I alighted from the bus triumphantly, followed by an assortment of Nairobians, each dashing out of the bus to some destination in the crowded city. Many years later, and many book later, while reading about the Polish artist, Jerzy Growtosky, I fully appreciated Dana’s action on that bus. Like Dana, Growtosky was worried that people in the city were no longer talking to each other. So, like Dana, Grotowsky observed prophetically: “If cows could dialogue, not all of them would go the slaughterhouse.”
a million genocide suspects
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Hollie n Brehm The Conversation
wenty-one years ago – on April 7, 1994 – the genocide that would kill up to one million people in Rwanda began. Another million individuals would be implicated as perpetrators, leaving Rwandans and many others to ask: how does a country begin to bring so many suspects to justice? In 2002, the Rwandan government created the gacaca – or “grass” in the country’s official language of Kinyarwanda – court system to tackle this enormous problem. Based on a traditional form of community dispute resolution, the gacaca courts functioned for ten years – until 2012. Despite receiving much international attention at their outset, little is known about what the courts actually accomplished. This is surprising. For the past three years, I have been analysing court data and conducting research in Rwanda to better understand this unique legal system whose punishments for the “genocidaires” (or those involved in the genocide) would likely be seen as light in many other countries. Creating the courts In the aftermath of the genocide, Rwanda’s basic infrastructure and legal institutions were in shambles. Trust in public institutions was low. This was hardly surprising, as government institutions had been involved in the planning and execution of the genocide. The United Nations was quick to create the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1994 to “prosecute persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Rwanda and neighbouring States, between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994.” But, the ICTR could only handle a fraction of the perpetrators (to date 93 people have been indicted by the ICTR), leaving Rwanda’s legal system overwhelmed by the vast number of citizens suspected of committing genocidal crimes. Time was of the essence. Rwanda’s prisons were well over their capacity. It was clear that it would take decades to try all of the cases. It was in these circumstances that Rwanda’s new political elite launched the gacaca courts as an ambitious transitional justice project to address crimes of genocide. In 2002, the pilot phase of the project began. Following tradition, community members elected panels of judges to preside over trials within their communities. All adult Rwandans were expected to participate. Unlike the traditional gacaca courts, however, there was strong involvement from the state. A 30,000 foot view After the pilot phase, the gacaca courts began operating in communities throughout Rwanda. Weekly trials were held in public meeting spaces – typically open fields, local stadiums, or empty market places. Ordinary Rwandans participated as judges, witnesses or spectators. In total, an estimated one million people were tried within the gacaca courts. Each defen-
dant could face multiple trials for 1) planning, inciting, or supervising the genocide; 2) killing or committing other acts of physical violence; or 3) committing crimes against property, such as looting or theft. When the courts closed in June 2012, nearly two million trials had taken place. The majority of trials (86%) ended in a guilty verdict, though appeals were also possible. People convicted of crimes against property were typically ordered to pay the victim (or their family) restitution for the damage. Others reached a court-approved settlement with the victims of their crimes. This often involved work for victims and communities, such as building houses and schools. Those convicted of more serious crimes faced prison terms ranging from a few months to life – the harshest penalty since the death penalty was abolished in 1998. The average prison sentence was 19 years, though there were also various mechanisms to reduce sentences, due in large part to prison overcrowding. For example, almost one-third of those given prison sentences were allowed to spend half of their sentence performing community service, such as constructing roads, building schools and homes, and planting gardens – sentences that likely sound very light for convicted genocidaires. A few even received amnesty if they confessed their crimes, a move which some suggest was linked to issues of prison overcrowding. Gacaca today As Rwandans reflected on the gacaca courts in interviews with me, many expressed positive views of how the courts operated. Others pointed to shortcomings, suggesting that the courts are an example of victors’ justice and lamenting that many judges who were initially elected were later accused of participating in the violence themselves. By Western legal standards, the gacaca courts had serious limitations. The defendants did not have legal representation and standards of evidence were questionable. People were also given lighter sentences if they confessed, which placed a premium on confessions and may have even encouraged false ones. Overall, the courts endeavored to strike a balance between formal and informal, communitybased and state-driven, traditional and contemporary, and punitive and restorative. As such, the system occupied a unique place not often encountered by traditional legal systems. Indeed, responses to mass atrocity have often been top-down, and hybrid community-based models are relatively new territory. Gacaca’s complexity and uniqueness inevitably had shortcomings. That said, the system’s ability to prosecute a massive number of suspected perpetrators in a devastated post-genocide environment is an accomplishment in itself. In fact, other countries could perhaps learn from the goal of integrating punitive responses (like prison sentences) with more restorative ones (like community service).
Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.
This article was originally published on The Conversation
8
Dimapur
NATIONAL
Monday 20 April 2015
The Morung Express
Farmers protest plans to ease land acquisition NEW DELHI, APRIL 19 (AP): Tens of thousands of flag-waving farmers rallied in India's capital on Sunday to protest the government's plan to ease rules for obtaining land for industry and development projects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said existing rules, established in 2013 to protect land owners from land grabbing and forced relocation, were creating obstacles that were spooking investors. He and industrial leaders argue the rules should be simplified in order to boost manufacturing and entice foreign businesses to India. Modi passed an executive order in December doing away with some of the rules. The unilateral move upset opposition parties and rights groups that had long fought for safeguards, and they vowed to fight any effort to make the changes permanent after the order expired earlier this month. Farmers, labor unions and rights activists say the changes effectively trample the rights of the poor. They accuse Modi of catering to corporate interests, and worry that eliminating hard-won safeguards for land owners will expose them to abuse by governments or private companies that offer poor compensation packages or force them to relocate from ancestral lands. "With the single-mind-
ed agenda of kneeling before the corporates while crores (hundreds of millions) of our citizens are exploited, displaced, disposed and deprived, this government has shown that it simply does not care for the poor and toiling people, for our land, agriculture and nature," the National Alliance of People's Movements said in a statement. The opposition Congress party — in power when the 2013 law was passed after more than three years of debate — has seized on the issue as it struggles to repair its political image following a stunning defeat to Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party last year. Both Gandhi family scion Rahul and his mother, party leader Sonia, addressed the rallying farmers at a protest park in central New Delhi on Sunday. Rahul accused Modi of winning the election with funding from industrialists he now needs to pay back. "How will he pay back the loan now? He will do it by giving your lands to those top industrialists. He wants to weaken the farmers, then snatch their land and give it to his industrialist friends," Rahul Gandhi told more than 50,000 cheering farmers who came to the capital for the rally from all over India. Many questioned how
Budget Session will be full of ‘outcomes’: Modi NEW DELHI, APRIL 19 (PTI): On the eve of resumption of Budget Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday voiced hope that it would be full of “outcomes”, noting that the productivity of Parliament has “reached 125 per cent” since his government came to power. With Parliament set to witness a stormy session over a host of issues, including the controversial land bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu asked BJP MPs to be present in their House throughout. Naidu told MPs that they should take any “sabbatical” or leave for “introspection” only after the session. Alluding to disruptions by Congress-led opposition, Modi said, “It is more beneficial if the opposition attacks government, however fierce it may be, inside Parliament.” Addressing party MPs at a workshop, where they were briefed about the government’s pro-poor measures, Modi noted that they would have received feedback about the Centre’s work, especially budget, and can join the session with more focus. “In a way the second phase of the session is stronger because MPs come back with more focus. I am sure this half would be full of quality debates and outcomes,” he said.
2 policemen arrested in killing of Kashmiri youth From left, India's opposition Congress party vice president Rahul Gandhi, president Sonia Gandhi, and former prime min- SRINAGAR, APRIL 19 (AP): Two Indian policemen ister Manmohan Singh wave at the crowd as they arrive to address a farmers rally in New Delhi on Sunday, April 19. Tens have been arrested in the killing of a teenage boy durof thousands of flag-waving farmers rallied in India's capital on Sunday to protest the government's plan to ease rules for ing weekend protests in the disputed region of Kashmir, obtaining land for industry and development projects. (AP Photo)
he and the party planned to counter Modi's electionwinning promise of rapid economic growth. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Modi's order was intended to hurt farmers' interests, and Sonia Gandhi accused the government of being against the farmers, the helpless and the poor. Just an hour earlier, however, Modi pre-empted the rally by telling lawmakers from his party, "Lies are being spread on the land bill by perverted minds. Some people have decided not to speak, see or hear
anything good about our government." In comments broadcast widely on Indian TV, he said, "All decisions I am taking are for the welfare of the poor." Meanwhile, in Germany days after Modi visited the country, Indian corporate leaders reportedly urged their foreign counterparts to be patient. "The government has undertaken a number of policy initiatives in the last few months," Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry said at the Hannover Fair, according to Press Trust ofIndia. "We are very positive about the fu-
ture, but it will take time." Critics are most upset about proposed changes eliminating residents' approval for land acquisitions sought for defense, infrastructure, affordable housing or industrial corridors. The changes would also remove the need for assessing the social impact of such projects. Restrictions on buying fertile agricultural land would be removed. Abuses by government employees, now answerable by law, would be exempt from prosecution unless ordered by the government.
Those rules were set down in a 2013 law that replaced an 1894 British colonial-era law allowing the government to appropriate land for "public purpose" if compensation is paid. After India's independence in 1947, criticism of the 1894 law grew over allegations that it was being used for land grabbing, private enrichment or industrial projects with no public purposes. Critics also complained that compensation payments rarely matched market value, and sometimes were never even paid.
police said. Towns across the Himalayan territory were mostly quiet Sunday, following two days of clashes between Indian law enforcement authorities and anti-India demonstrators. Streets in the main city of Srinagar were tense, with armed police and paramilitary soldiers inspecting vehicles and questioning people. Police said in a statement that they arrested two policemen after a preliminary investigation revealed one had ordered the other to fire his rifle at stone-throwing protesters in the northwestern village of Narbal on Saturday "in violation of laid down SOP (standard operating procedure)." Locals and rights groups have long said, however, that such investigations rarely yield results and are aimed only at calming public anger. Relatives and witnesses have contested the official story of the boy's death, saying he had been picked up by authorities and was shot on the side of the road while in custody. On Saturday night, protesters held a torch-lighting ceremony in Srinagar in the boy's memory.
IAS, IPS officers need government Yechury is new chief of CPI-M, vows to strengthen party nod for accepting gifts over Rs 5,000 NEW DELHI, APRIL 19 (PTI): IAS and IPS officers will now need to take prior permission from the central government before accepting gifts worth more than Rs 5,000. According to the recently amended all India services rules, they also need to inform government if they accept gifts of over Rs 25,000 from their relatives or friends. No member of the service shall accept any gift without the sanction of the government if the value of gift exceeds Rs 5,000, the new rules say. A member of the service may accept gifts from his near relatives or from his personal friends having no official dealings with them, on occasions such as wedding, anniversaries, funerals and religious functions when the making of gifts is in conformity with the prevailing religious and social practice, but he shall make a report to the government if the value of such gift exceeds Rs 25,000, they say. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has notified All India Services (Conduct)
Amendment Rules, 2015. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) are three all India services. "The rules have been amended and ministries concerned have been told to bring them into the notice of all IAS, IPS and IFoS officers," a DoPT official said. The monetary limits have been revised through the new rules. Earlier, IAS, IPS and IFoS officers were needed to take prior government sanction before accepting gifts if their value exceed Rs 1,000, he said. "As per the old rules, they were to inform government after receiving gifts from near relatives, friends, or on occasions such as wedding, anniversaries, funerals and religious functions if their value exceed Rs 5,000," the official said. There are about 4,802 IAS, 3,798 IPS, 2,668 IFoS officers working across the country against their sanctioned strength of 6,375, 4,728 and 3,131, respectively, according to a latest government data.
Abu Salem's aide arrested in Delhi New Delhi, April 19 (IANS): A shooter associated with gangster Abu Salem was arrested here, police said on Sunday. Jaan Usman Khan, a resident of Sarai Rohilla area in north Delhi, was arrested at around 7.30 p.m. on Saturday from Kashmere Gate Inter State Bus Terminus, where he had gone to meet his associate. The 35-year-old sharp shooter was involved in cases relating to circulation of fake currency, extortion and murder in Delhi and Mumbai. "Khan is an associate of
Abu Salem. He was earlier arrested in 2000 in Mumbai in an extortion case involving producer Anil Thadani (husband of Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon)," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Ravindra Yadav said. One country-made pistol and three live cartridges were recovered from his possession, police said. Khan told police that he had gone to Mumbai in 1996 where he came in contact with one Waseem, a sharp shooter of Abu Salem's gang. Waseem, an accused
in the murder of Gulshan Kumar (owner of T-Series label and a film producer), introduced Khan to Abu Salem and he joined the underworld gang. "Abu Salem introduced Khan to one Aftab Bhatki, who was running a fake Indian currency note racket from Dubai and Karachi. Khan joined him in circulating the fake notes in India through Nepal and Bangladesh route," Yadav said. Khan, the official said, was arrested in Delhi in 2000 for circulating fake Indian currency notes.
V I S A k H A PAT N A m , APRIL 19 (IANS): Senior leader Sitaram Yechury was unanimously elected the new general secretary of the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M) on Sunday -- the last day of the party's 21st Congress here. He resolved to strengthen the party to meet the challenges faced by the country and the organisation. At the meeting of the new Central Committee (CC) on the last day of the party's 21st Congress, outgoing general secretary Prakash Karat proposed Yechury's name and S. Ramchandran Pillai seconded it. The 91-member CC, the highest executive body of the party, unanimously approved Yechury's installation as the party chief. The election of 62-yearold Yechury came after Pillai, who was reportedly in the fray for the top party post, withdrew thereby ensuring that the party continued its tradition of electing its leader unanimously. Prakash Karat, who headed the party for a decade, later made the formal announcement in front of the media at the end of the sixday conclave. Yechury, who termed
the new task as challenging, introduced the 16-member politburo. Yechury, who has been serving as the politburo member of the party since 1992, is the fifth general secretary of the 50-year-old party. He faces the onerous task of giving a new lease of life to the party, whose strength in the Lok Sabha was reduced to single-digit in last year's general elections. Addressing the media, Yechury described the 21st Congress as the congress for the future of the party, India and Left unity. He said the strength of the party lay in its collective functioning. Referring to the new tactical line and the political resolution adopted at the conclave, he admitted that it will not be possible for the party to implement them without strengthening itself organisationally. The new general secretary said the party would hold organisational plenum before the end of 2015 to strengthen the party to face the challenges. Claiming that CPI-M is the only party which can protect the interests of the vast millions of working people, he said it would work with other Left and democratic
forces to oppose "the Narendra Modi government's neoliberal economic policies and communalism". "Our job is to overthrow the present class rule in order to bring people's democracy," he said while calling for uniting the struggles against the new economic policies and social repression. "What we have today is not only a government headed by communal forces but a government which is more aggressively pursuing the agenda of neoliberal economic policies," he said. He added: "The Modi government has unleashed a new trimurti -- communalism, neo-liberal economic policies and erosion of democratic practices. We must ensure that this trimurti unleashed by it doesn't convert into a trishul that will pierce the heart of India." Contending that the crisis in capitalism has deepened and continues to deepen, the communist leader said there is no solution for people except by strengthening the struggle of socialism. "People ask what is the future of communism and socialism. There is only one answer... if there is any future of human civilization, it lies
in socialism," he asserted. He said the situation, both internationally and nationally, was ripe for the advancement of people's struggle but the party could utilise it only by strengthening its organisational and political capacity. "Return from this party congress with resolve and conviction that we shall fight, we shall win," Yechury said amid cheers by the delegates. The CC also elected a new politburo. Four new politburo members are Mohammed Saleem, Subhashini Ali, Hannan Mollah and G. Ramakrishnan. Subhashini Ali is the second woman in the politburo after Brinda Karat. The politburo members are Sitaram Yechury, Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, S. Ramchandran Pillai, Biman Basu, Manik Sarkar, Pinyarayi Vijayan, B.V. Raghavulu, K. Balakrishnan, M.A. Baby, S.K. Mishra, A.K. Padmanabhan, Mohammed Saleem, Subhashini Ali, Hannan Mollah and G. Ramakrishnan. Earlier, the Congress elected the new CC. Veteran leaders V.S. Achuthanandan, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and Nirupam Sen were dropped from the body.
Cyber bullying rampant in India, legal vacuum persists NEW DELHI, APRIL 19 (IANS): Trishna Saikia (name changed) could not believe it when her best friend created a fake profile of her on a social networking site and sent derogatory messages to common friends in a bid to get back at Saikia for dating a boy she liked. "She used my personal images and insulted me on a public forum," the victim related. Like Saikia, many young girls and boys fall prey to online abuse and cyber bullying, which experts describe as "the intentional use of harmful words to put another person down." "Cyber bullying is a typical type of online harassment, which can be defined as hurling harsh, rude, insulting, teasing remarks through the message box or in open forums targeting one's body shape and structure, educational qualifications, professional qualifications, family, gender orientation, personal habits and outlook," Debarati Halder, advocate and manag-
ing director, Centre for Cyber Victim Counselling, told IANS. Online abuse was a larger term that may include cyber bullying, stalking, revenge, online defamation, leaking of private information and hacking. "It is that sort of abuse which is carried out with the aid of cyber space," she said. According to the 'Tweens, Teens and Technology 2014 Report' by McAfee, 50 percent of Indian youth have had some experience with cyber-bullying (been cyber-bullied online or witnessed others being so treated), out of which one-third (36 percent) have themselves been cyber-bullied. It added that of the 33 percent said they have witnessed cyber-bullying of others, 46 percent said the victims deleted their social media accounts and 42 percent said the victims became less social, underscoring its significant emotional impact. Delhi-based Anja Kovacs, project director of the Internet
Democracy Project, said that the increase seems to mostly have kept pace with the growth of internet penetration. "As more and more people have come online, more and more abuse can be seen as well," Kovacs told IANS. "Bullying in general, not simply online, is something that schools should take up. It is important to discuss with young people the harmful effects of bullying. Even bullies have often been the victim of bullying at some point in time. Bringing out those experiences can be a valuable starting point for a conversation about this with children," Kovacs said. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Economic Offences Wing)Rajneesh Garg "we have yet to get any complaint regarding cyber bullying". "If a teenager or a juvenile puts any defamatory writing or pornographic picture on others on Facebook page, this can be dealt with under the relevant
sections of the IT Act," Garg, who also handles cyber crime cases, told IANS. "In such a case, a minor is sent to a reformatory home, while a major will have to face a term of around five years," he added. Sameer Malhotra, director, Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Max Hospitals, who treats approximately two to three such cases in a month, said that the effects on the victim include low self-esteem, depression, feelings of loneliness/emptiness, anxiety related symptoms and psychosomatic problems. One can even be driven to acts of self harm, anger outbursts, disturbed sleep-wake schedule, paranoia and a feeling of insecurity. So, are there no laws that deal with children affected with cyber bullying and online abuse? "There is no law that deals with cyber-bullying and online abuse specifically directed
at children, nor should there be. The criminalisation of speech is only acceptable in a very narrow set of cases, as the Supreme Court has again stressed in its recent judgment on the Shreya Singhal case (striking down section 66A of the IT Act). Bullying, as well as verbal online abuse of women in fact, in many cases does not fall within those parameters," Kovacs explained. Because the law "doesn't and shouldn't apply in so many cases of abuse", non-legal measures to address the problem should be looked at, she added. Stressing that sensitisation was a must, Halder said: "NGOpolice and NGO-stakeholders or expert-stakeholder partnerships are a must. Above all, government should consider creating good laws regulating bad speech on the internet."
Noting that 13+ is the age most complaints come from, Rakshit Tandon, advisor to the cyber crime cell of the Gurgaon police said many such cases go unreported. "...or we can say people are not aware of how and where to report; and many other factors also stop them from reporting.
Awareness, education and cyber law should be taught to children. (It should be taught) right from the basic classes as a subject, as we learn moral science which prepares us for moral values in life same way cyber hygiene/netiquette and digital moral science should be taught to netizens," Tandon told IANS.
InternatIonal
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Monday 20 April 2015
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Chinese activist more determined after lockup BEIJING, APRIL 19 (AP): The most prominent of five recently released Chinese women’s rights activists feels her dedication to the cause has grown stronger after spending 37 days in detention with interrogators who blew smoke onto her face and insulted her sexual orientation, her girlfriend and her lawyer said. Li Tingting, 25, an openly lesbian campaigner for women’s issues, has been at the center of an international outcry over China’s detention of activists. Her girlfriend, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition she be identified only by her English name of Teresa, relayed comments from Li for the first time since the activist’s conditional release from a Beijing jail last Monday. Teresa spoke in the presence of Li’s lawyer Wang Yu, who also confirmed Li’s comments. “’Feminism is my soul,’” Teresa quoted Li as saying. “’I thought a lot and came to believe what I do cannot be wrong. My belief is firmer. Feminism will surely be inseparable from me.’” Li and four other women, ranging in age from 25 to 32, were detained in a criminal investigation for their plans to hand out stickers and flyers denouncing sexual harassment, in a case reflecting the Chinese leadership’s deep distrust of any efforts to organize civil action in
In this April 18, 2015 photo, Chinese activist Li Tingting, left, walks out of a shop with her girlfriend, who wished to be identified only by her English name of Teresa, center, in suburban Beijing. Li, one of five recently recently released Chinese women’s rights activists feels her dedication to activism has grown only stronger after spending 37 days in detention with interrogators who blew smoke onto her face and insulted her sexual orientation, her girlfriend and her lawyer said. (AP Photo
a group outside the ruling Communist Party’s control. Known for colorful, high-profile protests — from “potty parity” sit-ins to street theater denouncing spousal abuse — the five women drew what has been, for recent years, an unusual amount of attention overseas. Foreign governments, rights groups and luminaries including U.S. presidential candidate
Hillary Clinton criticized the arrests as an overreaction by a repressive Chinese government, and urged Chinese authorities to drop the investigations against the women. China’s Foreign Ministry has responded by saying the detentions are an internal affair being handled according to law, and urging foreign countries not to interfere. The five
were released, but remain under investigation and have been told not to travel outside their home cities or meet journalists. AP reporters traveled to Li’s home village of Hongtongying, a community of wheat fields and willow trees on Beijing’s outskirts, but were trailed by unidentified vehicles. In a nearby town center, the journalists were able to see Li with
Teresa as they walked armin-arm from a tea house to a hospital, but could not interview Li. Her friend and the lawyer said Li would abide by state security officials’ demands that she grant no interviews. They also released a written statement by Li, in which she pleaded innocence. “What I have done does not provoke trouble, but is mild advocacy that does
not amount to any crime,” Li wrote. “I demand police dismiss the case immediately, remove coercive restrictions on me and return innocence to me.” The lawyer said the demand that Li hold no interviews has no basis under Chinese law. “The activism by Li Tingting not only complies with Chinese law, but should be lauded because she is promoting the law,” Wang said, referring to China’s law, policy and declarations championing equal rights for women. “She should not have been treated so illegally by authorities. For a young woman who is able to do what she’s done, I think she should be considered a hope for China,” Wang said. Li will need some time to readjust but has been in good spirits despite her ordeal, her friend and the lawyer said. In the statement, Li said she was deprived of sleep and had cigarette smoke blown onto her face while she was restrained in an iron interrogation chair. “It made my nostrils and eyes dry and uncomfortable,” Li wrote. “I could not move at all and felt my dignity was greatly insulted.” Interrogators shone strong light into her eyes and repeatedly called her homosexuality “sickening” and “shameless,” Li wrote. Her lawyer Wang said the acts by interrogators
amounted to torture. Teresa, who also was briefly detained by police but said she didn’t want to give her full name out of fear for her personal safety, said Li was “delighted” to learn of the support she received from Clinton and from one of her idols, Eve Ensler. Author of the “Vagina Monologues,” Ensler called for people around the world to protest in front of Chinese embassies and consulates in support of Li and the four other Chinese women’s rights activists. She and other rights advocates have attributed the early release of the five to the international pressure on the issue, which threatened to embarrass China ahead of a key anniversary in September of a high-profile women’s rights conference in 1995. Born just weeks after Chinese troops crushed student pro-democracy protests in the heart of Beijing, Li grew up in a working-class household. She came out early as a lesbian to her parents, who reacted badly to the news. She found her tribe in college where she joined other activists working on HIV, gender equality and gay and lesbian issues. With her at the helm, the activists began staging tonguein-cheek, media-friendly public protests, which she called performance art. Li and other women
once strolled down a busy Beijing shopping street wearing blood-stained wedding dresses and warning passing couples about domestic abuse. In another action, several activists boarded a Shanghai subway train in miniskirts and metal breastplates after female passengers reported they had been groped. She also helped organize sit-ins at public restrooms to demand more toilets for women. Chinese authorities once tried to silence Li by offering her a job on a governmental women’s federation if she would stop her protests and social media work. Li turned down the offer and later suspended her work in the face of growing police monitoring. Her lawyer Wang said Li had always been cautious about her activism, seeking legal advice before she took action. Li was detained just ahead of International Women’s Day, which Chinese authorities mark by touting gender equality under the leadership of the Communist Party. Teresa said that Li thought her group’s activism on behalf of women’s rights would carry little political risk, and was surprised the state came down on them with such force. Li believes it shows that China’s civil society is facing extreme difficulty, and that much “more needs to be done,” Teresa said.
South Korean police question Scores dead as migrant boat sinks Irananian Guard rejects dozens after violent ferry protest inspection of military sites
SEOUL, APRIL 19 (AP): South Korean police said Sunday that they were questioning dozens of protesters after violence broke out at a rally denouncing the government’s handling of a ferry disaster that killed more than 300 people a year ago. Police used water cannons and pepper spray to break up thousands of protesters in the capital, Seoul, on Saturday night. Dozens of police officers and protesters were injured during the demonstration. The protesters, led by relatives of victims of the ferry disaster, tried unsuccessfully to march to the presidential Blue House. More than 70 police buses used to block a downtown street leading to the Blue House were damaged or vandalized, said an official from the National Police Agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing office rules. The official said around 80 people were being questioned over the demonstration. Twenty others who were also detained have been released. The demonstration capped off a week of vigils and rallies commemorating the anniversary of the ferry disaster. A total of 304 people — most of them students from a single high school — died when the ferry Sewol sank off South Korea’s southwest coast on April 16, 2014. There’s frustration among South Koreans who see their government as having failed to make meaningful improvements to safety standards and hold high-level officials accountable for a disaster blamed in part on incompetence and corruption. The relatives of the victims and their supporters have been calling for the government to accept a more thorough investigation into the cause of the sinking and provide a more detailed plan to salvage the ship. Prosecutors have blamed negligence by crew members, excessive cargo and improper storage for the sinking, along with slow rescue efforts. Relatives of the victims say the prosecution’s investigation was insufficient and have called for the establishment of an independent committee to look more deeply into the government’s responsibility for the sinking and the high death toll.
UN report finds Afghan women failed by justice system KABUL, APRIL 19 (AP): Afghanistan’s women are being failed by the country’s justice system as most complaints of domestic violence are dealt with through mediation rather than prosecution, according to the United Nations. A report released Sunday concluded that only 5 percent of surveyed domestic violence cases were resolved through the judicial system, resulting in criminal prosecution and punishment for perpetrators. The U.N.’s assistant secretary general for human rights, Ivan Simonovic, said women often choose mediation to resolve complaints of violence, partly because they lack faith in the justice system. “The interviews with women and girls subjected to violence revealed that negative perceptions of the justice system as slow, corrupt and distant continued to discourage women from pursuing criminal prosecution of the perpetrators,” Simonovic said. He added that access to justice for women who suffer violence needs to be improved. The U.N. findings also indicate that the majority of women interviewed were largely concerned with logistical and financial matters — such as divorce, receiving fair alimony, custody settlements, and safe living arrangements — rather than seeking criminal prosecution. As such, mediation appeared to offer a suitable and culturally acceptable forum to discuss and address such matters. The report reflects the experiences of 110 women and girls who were victims of violence and whose complaints were addressed through adjudication or mediation in 18 provinces between August 2014 and February 2015. Afghanistan is regularly named as one of the worst places in the world to be a woman. Constitutional guarantees of equal rights and protection from violence are rarely applied in practice.
ROME, APRIL 19 (AP): A boat believed to be crowded with 700 migrants capsized in the waters north of Libya overnight, leaving at least 24 confirmed dead and sparking fears for what could become the Mediterranean’s deadliest known migrant sea disaster, Italy’s Coast Guard and other officials said Sunday. The Coast Guard said in a statement that the migrants’ 20-meter (66-foot) vessel may have overturned because migrants rushed to one side of the craft when they saw a Portuguese merchant vessel approach it late Saturday night. The cargo ship had been dispatched to come to the migrants’ aid. The Coast Guard said at least 28 survivors had been rescued by Sunday morning. Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat put the number of survivors at 50. It was not clear whether Muscat’s figure included the 28 survivors reported by Italy. Maltese search units were aiding rescue efforts. Muscat said rescuers were seeing people in the sea and were “checking who is alive and who is dead.” The capsizing of such a crowded boat represented the
“biggest human tragedy of the last few years,” Muscat said. A United Nations refugee agency spokeswoman Carlotta Sami tweeted that according to one survivor, the boat had set out with 700 migrants aboard. But the Coast Guard and other authorities said they had no immediate way to determine how many were aboard or how many might still be rescued. The total number of passengers was expected to be clarified as officers interviewed survivors. Given the depth of the sea — as deep as 3 miles (5 kilometers) or more in the area — it was possible that many bodies would never be recovered. This has commonly been the case in similar tragedies off the coasts of Libya, Italy, and other Mediterranean nations in recent years. Pope Francis was among those following the news. “There are fears there could be hundreds of dead,” Francis told the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. He bowed his head in silent prayer as did many of the tens of thousands in the crowd. For a second day running, he called on Europe to do more to help Italy manage its continentleading flow of migrants. Italian Premier Matteo Renzi summoned his top ministers
to a Sunday night meeting in Rome to discuss the latest tragedy. “The numbers (of the dead) are still provisional but the numbers are destined to rise,” Renzi said. “How can it be that we daily are witnessing a tragedy?” Rescuers reported seeing wreckage in the sea. “There are large fuel stains, pieces of wood, life jackets,” Italian Border Police Gen. Antonino Iraso, whose force has boats deployed in the rescue effort, told Sky TG24 TV. When asked whether the boat capsized because the migrants rushed to one side as the Portuguese vessel pulled alongside, Iraso replied: “The dynamics aren’t clear. But this is not the first time that has happened.” The numbers of migrants attempting the dangerous crossing by sea from Libya swells as the springtime weather improves, providing calmer seas and warmer water temperatures. But the smugglers’ boats are frequently overcrowded or unseaworthy So far this year, more than 900 have died in failed crossings. Last week, 400 people were presumed drowned when another boat capsized.
TEHRAN, APRIL 19 (AP): A senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said Sunday that inspectors would be barred from military sites under any nuclear agreement with world powers. Gen. Hossein Salami, the Guard’s deputy leader, said on state TV that allowing the foreign inspection of military sites is tantamount to “selling out.” “We will respond with hot lead (bullets) to those who speak of it,” Salami said. “Iran will not become a paradise for spies. We will not roll out the red carpet for the enemy.” Iran and six world powers -the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, China and Russia -- have reached a framework agreement to curb Tehran’s nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions, and hope to strike a final deal by June 30. A fact sheet on the framework accord issued by the State Department said Iran would be required to grant the U.N. nuclear agency access to any “suspicious sites.” Iran has questioned that and other language in the fact sheet, notably that sanctions would only be lifted after
the International Atomic Energy Agency has verified Tehran’s compliance. Iran’s leaders have said the sanctions should be lifted on the first day of the implementation of the accord. The fact sheet said Iran has agreed to implement the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which would grant the IAEA expanded access to both declared and undeclared nuclear facilities. But Salami said allowing foreign inspectors to visit a military base would amount to “occupation,” and expose “military and defense secrets.” “It means humiliating a nation,” Salami said on state TV. “They will not even be permitted to inspect the most normal military site in their dreams.” Iran allowed IAEA inspectors to visit the Parchin military site in 2005 as a confidencebuilding measure, but denied further visits, fearing espionage. Western nations have long suspected Iran of secretly pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian program. Tehran denies such allegations, and insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
IS video purports to show killing of Ethiopians in Libya CAIRO, APRIL 19 (AP): A video released by the Islamic State group on Sunday appears to show the killing of two different groups of captured Ethiopian Christians by the extremist group’s Libyan affiliates. The 29-minute online video purports to show militants holding two groups of captives. It says one group is held by an IS affiliate in eastern Libya known as Barka Province and the other by an affiliate in the south calling itself the Fazzan Province. A masked fighter brandishing a pistol delivers a long statement, saying Christians must convert to Islam or pay a special tax prescribed by the Quran. The video then switches between footage of the captives in the south being shot dead and the captives in the east being beheaded on a beach. It was not immediately clear who the captives were or when they were captured. It was also not clear how many captives were killed. The video bore the official logo of the IS media arm AlFurqan and resembled previous videos released by the extremist group, including one in February in which IS militants in Libya beheaded 21 captured
Egyptian Christians on a beach. The Islamic State group has been able to gain a foothold amid the chaos in Libya, where two governments backed by rival alliances of militias are battling each other as well as extremist groups. The Islamic State group is also advancing in Iraq, where the extremists captured three villages near the city of Ramadi in the western Anbar province and were locked in heavy clashes with Iraqi troops. More than 90,000 people have fled the Islamic State group’s advance in Anbar, a United Nations humanitarian agency said Sunday. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement that civilians are fleeing Ramadi as well as the three nearby villages captured by the IS group a few days ago. It said humanitarian agencies have moved quickly to provide assistance, including food, water and shelter. “Our top priority is delivering life-saving assistance to people who are fleeing -- food, water and shelter are highest on the list of priorities,” said Lise Grande, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Iraq.
This undated image made from a video released by Islamic State militants, Sunday, April 19, 2015, appears to show the killing of a group of captured Ethiopian Christians in Libya. The 29-minute video released online Sunday purportedly shows two groups of captives. It says one group is held by an IS affiliate in eastern Libya and the other by an affiliate in the south. A masked fighter delivers a long statement before the video switches between footage that purportedly shows the captives in the south being shot dead and the captives in the east being beheaded on a beach. (AP Photo)
Grande expressed concern over the safety of the displaced people, who are mainly heading to Baghdad and the IS-held city of Fallujah. “Seeing people carrying what little they can and rushing for safety is heart-breaking,” she
added. Iraqi officials in Anbar have described Ramadi as a ghost town, with empty streets and closed shops. Iraqi troops backed by Shiite militias and U.S.-led airstrikes managed to dislodge the IS
group from the northern city of Tikrit earlier this month. But the troops have struggled against the militants in Anbar, which saw some of the heaviest fighting of the eightyear U.S. military intervention that ended in 2011.
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Monday 20 April 2015
The Morung Express
Arsenal returns to FA Cup final with win over Reading LONDON, APRIL 19 | AP
A
lexis Sanchez sent Arsenal back into the FA Cup final, scoring his second goal of the semifinal in extra time Saturday to secure a 2-1 win over Reading at Wembley. Sanchez decided the game for the defending champions in the 105th minute thanks to a goalkeeping blunder, as he cut inside from the left and hit a low shot through traffic that Adam Federici spilled between his legs. It ended the resistance of the secondtier club, which fought back from Sanchez's 40th-minute opener but couldn't muster a second comeback in the final 15 minutes. Garath McCleary equalized in the 54th with a goal that was confirmed by goal-line technology when Wojciech Szczesny couldn't keep out his low shot. Arsenal will face either Liverpool or Aston Villa in the May 30 final as it looks for its 12th FA Cup title. It was another difficult semifinal for Arsenal, though, which needed penalties to overcome Wigan at this stage last year on its way to ending a nine-year trophy drought by beating Hull in the final. "They
really wanted it," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said of Reading. "They were ready to die on the pitch today to go to this final. You have to congratulate them for the effort they put in." Riding a 10-game winning streak in all competitions, the Gunners were the heavy favorites and dominated possession from the start, continually probing the Reading defense. But Wenger's team looked far from its most fluent, and its buildup play was slow and without imagination, lacking incisive passes. "What was missing was a bit of speed of combination in the final third and sharpness in the final third," Wenger said. "But overall, I believe the spirit and concentration was there." They finally broke through when Mesut Ozil took a more direct route, lofting a perfectly weighted pass into the area toward Sanchez, who downed the ball on his chest, held off a defender and calmly slotted a low shot past Federici. Then Arsenal was punished for a tentative start to the second half. Pavel Pogrebnyak set up Reading's equalizer when he broke down the left side and floated a pass across the goalmouth that fell to McCleary. His shot took a slight deflection off Kieran Gibbs and went past the diving Szczesny, who got his hand on the ball but couldn't
keep it from crossing the line. Arsenal had several chances to retake the lead but Ozil fired well high from just outside the area and Aaron Ramsey hit the post from his own rebound after his initial shot was blocked by Federici. Defender Gabriel, who came on for the injured Per Mertesacker, forced another good one-handed save from Federici with a header from a corner. Sanchez bailed out Arsenal, like so often this season. With the extra time interval looming, he took another pass from Ozil and sent in a speculative shot through three defenders that Federici should have easily kept out. But it went between his legs and slid slowly into the net, ensuring a return to Wembley for Arsenal next month. "He looked to struggle a bit to get into the game," Wenger said of Sanchez. "But he has that stubborn resilience, and that is the potential that allows him to always to create something special." Reading manager Steve Clarke said he couldn't have asked for more from his team. "It was a really good performance," Clarke said. "I feel for the players, they gave everything, feel for the supporters, they gave everything. It should have been a good afternoon for us but sometimes in football you do not get reward for such a good performance."
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the English FA Cup semifinal soccer match between Arsenal and Reading at Wembley stadium in Londo
Warriors, Rockets open NBA playoffs with wins HOUSTON, APRIL 19 (AP): The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets won their opening games in the NBA playoffs with relative ease on Saturday, while the Washington Wizards pulled off an upset on the road in Toronto. The Chicago Bulls were also winners in Derrick Rose's first postseason appearance since he tore a knee ligament in the opening game of the 2012 playoffs. Stephen Curry scored 34 points and the Warriors went up big before holding off the New Orleans Pelicans 106-99 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Klay Thompson added 21 points, and Draymond Green and Australian center Andrew Bogut dominated down low as the Warriors looked every bit like the NBA's top seed — at least for three quarters. They smothered Anthony Davis and the Pelicans with the league's best defense, leading by 15 after the first quarter, 18 at the half and 25 late in the third. Curry finished 13 of 25 shooting, though he was just 4 of 13 from 3-point range. "I was locked in and focused the whole night," he said. "In those situations, you want to get the crowd back into it. There's a weird kind of tension, especially in the second half when they made a couple runs. But in the playoffs, you have to expect anything." The Pelicans pulled within four in the final minute behind Davis, who scored 20 of his 35 points in the final quarter, to make the contest seem closer than it really was. In Houston, James Harden had 24 points and Corey Brewer scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Rockets past the Dallas Mavericks 118-108. Brewer made three 3-pointers in a threeminute span in the fourth to keep the Mavericks at bay. He added another three points when he made a layup and a free throw to give Houston a 109-95 lead with three minutes left. Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points for the Mavericks, who are in the playoffs for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons. It's the third time these Texas rivals have met in the postseason and the first time since Dallas won their first-round series in 2005. In the East, Paul Pierce scored five of his 20 points in overtime as the Wizards beat the Toronto Raptors 93-86 in Game 1 of their series.
Michael Phelps roars to 1st Chelsea en route to title in 100 free at Arizona meet after beating United
MESA, APRIL 19 (AP): Michael Phelps felt something coming off the wall in the 100-meter freestyle, a sensation he hadn't experienced since resuming training four months ago. It was like a switch flipped in the 18-time Olympic gold medalist. He zoomed off the wall in lane seven, rallying from last to win in 49.72 seconds Saturday night in his comeback from a six-month suspension at the Arena Pro Swim Series. "As soon as I was under water I just started kicking and one of the kicks I just felt something different that I hadn't felt before," Phelps said. "I don't know if that was the switching gear in knowing how to race again or what. I haven't felt that switch in anything." Ryan Lochte came in as the fastest qualifier and finished second at 49.77, while fellow Olympian Conor Dwyer took third in 50.02. Katie Ledecky won her fourth event of the meet in the 800 free. She briefly dipped under world-record pace before coming home in 8:13.02. The high school senior from Maryland also won the 200, 400 and 1,500 freestyles. "I try to be consistent," she said. "I'm training really well, that gives me a lot of confidence." Phelps, Lochte and Dwyer returned for the 100 free about 25 minutes after competing in the 200 individual medley. Lochte led all the way in winning that race in 1:58.70. Phelps trailed Lochte after the opening 50 meters, then dropped back to third and finished there in 2:00.01. Dwyer was sec-
Michael Phelps competes in the men's 200-meter individual medley final, Saturday, April 18, at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa, Ariz. Phelps finished in third place; Ryan Lochte won the race. (AP Photo)
ond at 1:59.04. "It's feels like old times," Lochte said about resuming his long rivalry with Phelps. Phelps handled quick turnarounds easily during his historic run to eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics. He had some doubts this time, having not competed since August. "I don't know if having a tight turnaround like that is better for me," he said. "I always have in the past kind of seemed to do better in
situations like that." Phelps was suspended by USA Swimming after his second drunken driving arrest last fall. He won the 100 butterfly, finished third in the 200 individual medley and didn't make the final in the 400 free during the fourday meet. "I was pleased with the IM because he kind of showed a little spark there, which he hadn't yet this meet," his coach Bob Bowman said. "These times are very good to start from. As
we go along, we can compare off of this." Lochte is tuning up for the world championships in Russia in August. "My times aren't spectacular, but I know my effort and my overall attitude toward swimming is perfect," Lochte said after the preliminaries. "I'm happy where I'm at right now, and hopefully I get better and better." Phelps has been banned from worlds as part of his punishment by the sport's U.S. governing body. He's planning to compete in Charlotte next month and likely Santa Clara, California, in June before U.S. nationals in August, which will be held at the same time as worlds. Three-time Olympian Katinka Hosszu of Hungary won the 200 IM in 2:11.40 for her third victory of the meet. She came back later to finish second behind two-time Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe in the 200 backstroke. Arianna VanderpoolWallace of the Bahamas completed a sweep of the women's sprints, adding the 50 free to the 100 she won earlier. She finished in 54.18 seconds, ahead of Olympian Allison Schmitt, who touched in 55.35. The final was missing 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin, who was the fastest qualifier in the morning with the exact same time as VanderpoolWallace in the final. Coughlin scratched the final in order to return home to California. Also scratching were Ledecky, while Simone Manuel and Lia Neal also headed home.
Chelsea's Eden Hazard, right, vies for the ball with Manchester United's Antonio Valencia during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, April 18. (AP Photo)
LONDON, APRIL 19 (AP): Eden Hazard propelled Chelsea closer to its first English Premier League title in five years on Saturday by clinching a 1-0 victory over Manchester United that established a 10-point lead. It hasn't been a convincing title runin — with Chelsea winning seven of its last 10 league games but only by a single goal — but Jose Mourinho's side has a commanding cushion with six games to go. Hazard is also likely to be collecting the country's top individual honors this season. The winger cemented his player-ofthe-year credentials with another influential display at Stamford Bridge — and the only goal. Hazard met Oscar's back-heeled flickon in the 38th minute and slotted the ball through David de Gea's legs at the goalkeeper's near post. An injury-depleted United was on top for much of the second half but could find no way past Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as a six-game winning streak ended. "They had the better possession," Chelsea captain John Terry said. "We have not been playing as well as we can of late ... we were in our best form early on in the season and just before Christmas." Louis van Gaal's United remains third and well-placed to capture one of the four Champions League qualification places. "I see that we are improving every week," said Van Gaal, who had enjoyed wins over Liverpool and Manchester City in the last month. "When you can play in Chelsea like this, as the dominant team, then I'm very happy with that, but I'm very disappointed. That's the ambivalence in my feelings." De Gea started celebrating inside five minutes of the game — wrongly believing Wayne Rooney scored when the captain had in fact curled the ball into the side-netting from Luke Shaw's cutback. Paddy McNair, one of three injury-enThe Faith in Action Taekwondo team conducted martial arts training for the students of SD Jain Girls College, Dimapur from forced changes from the United side that April 13 to 17.
beat City in last weekend's Manchester derby, also came close with a shot that deflected off Terry. As the game opened up, Chelsea began to push forward, and scored from its first shot on target. United striker Radamel Falcao, making his first start since February, was forced off the ball by Terry on the halfway line — Van Gaal later claimed it was a foul — and Cesc Fabregas released the ball to Oscar. After holding up the ball, Oscar backheeled into the path of Hazard, who netted his 18th goal of the season. Falcao was presented with a chance to level just before halftime, but he couldn't get on the end of Ashley Young's flick-on Chelsea was in front despite missing injured strikers Diego Costa, its top scorer, and Loic Remy, giving Didier Drogba a second consecutive start up front. The 37-year-old Ivorian has gone more than four months without a goal and came close only once on Saturday. After meeting Nemanja Matic's long ball, Drogba's shot deflected off Smalling and looped over De Gea. It was going wide as Hazard raced to the far post but could only hit the goal frame from a tight angle. It could have proved costly, but McNair saw a shot parried by Courtois, Rooney's strike was deflected wide, and Falcao squandered an opening. Left back Shaw, who was putting in a strong performance on the left flank in his first appearance since early March, played in Falcao. But after sweeping past Kurt Zouma, Falcao went for goal and hit the outside of the post rather than crossing to Marouane Fellaini, who was in space across the penalty area. "We had a big heart, we fight, and we were very focused on what we wanted," Mourinho said. "The only thing we couldn't do was kill the game by scoring a second goal."
11 Entertainment Kim Kardashian named one Actor Jonathan Crombie dies at 48 Monday
The Morung Express C M Y K
20 April 2015
Dimapur
of Variety's 'Power Women' A
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im Kardashian will be recognised by Variety's Power Of Women: New York luncheon for her work supporting the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The 34-year-old will be among those named as an Inspiration Impact Honoree at the publication's April 24 event, which will pay tribute to some of the industry's most charitable women, according to Page Six. The hospital is no doubt near and dear to Kim's heart, who has paid visits to the medical centre with her sister Kendall Jenner and husband Kanye West in the past. 'Variety's Power of Women initiative has become a shining example of what is possible when committed women with a voice stand up for worthy causes and harness their power to give back and inspire others to do the same,' she told the publication. 'Launching the event in New York last year was immensely gratifying for both Variety and our partner Lifetime, and we are honored to share this day with our incredible new charity partner, the Entertainment Industry Foundation. 'Together we will further magnify the beautiful spirit the Power of Women series exemplifies.' Kim will share the bill with Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Lena Dunham, and Rachel Weisz, who will also be named Inspiration Impact Honorees. And Kim has already received the backing of fellow honoree Whoopi. A rep for the actress told Page Six: 'Whoopi has no issues with Kim -being involved with the event.' While Kim famously calls Calabasas home, her husband Kanye West did own an apartment in the Big Apple. In July, the reality star revealed on her blog that she has been browsing for apartments in New York. The Children's Hospital is not the only cause the reality star has thrown herself into. She recently returned from a trip to Armenia, where Kim attended a memorial commemorating the victims of the Armenian genocide 100 years ago. The family have even met with Armenian Prime Minister Abrahamyan, who praised the family's contribution to 'international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian genocide'. While Kim courted controversy in 2014 when it was revealed she donated 10 per cent of profits from her semiregular eBay clothing auctions to charity, she used the moment to reveal what motivated her giving in her blog. The star said that her late father, Robert Kardashian, 'always taught me the importance of giving back' and it's a lesson she has kept with her all these years, whether the public is aware of her charitable deeds or not. 'I don’t publicize everything I do to help charities and people all over the world,' she insists. 'I do it because I want to. I do because my dad taught me to. I do it because it’s the right thing to do.' Recently, Kim and her husband were recently named by Time as among the 100 Most Influential People in the world.
Shia LaBeouf says celebs are 'enslaved'
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he "retired" celebrity and performance artist Shia LaBeouf has said that he's "enslaved" as a celebrity. The 'Transformer' actor-turned-performance artist, who as an executive producer debuted an "experimental" drama 'LoveTrue' along with director Alma Har'el, said that he will never consider directing because he is a "performer," but even that has its problems because acting and performing are very different, E! Online reported. The 28-year-old actor added that the craft of acting for film is terribly exclusive and comes with the baggage
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of celebrity, which robs one of his individuality and separates you. LaBeouf noted that the performance work is democratized and far more inclusive, adding that stars are beholden to everything else but themselves. He explained that the requirements to being a star/ celebrity are namely, one must become an enslaved body, just flesh, a commodity, and renounce all autonomous qualities in order to identify with the general law of obedience to the course of things. He added that the star is a byproduct of the machine age, a relic of modernist ideals. It's outmoded.
ctor Jonathan Crombie, best known for his role of Gilbert Blythe in "Anne of Green Gables" TV movies, has died of a brain hemorrhage on Wednesday, April 15, in New York City, reported Us magazine. He was 48. Crombie's sister, Carrie Crombie, confirmed his passing on Saturday. "We've been going through lots of stories the last couple days. He was funny, he was sweet, he loved acting, he loved comedy and singing and dancing. As a little kid, he just loved Broadway shows and all of that kind of stuff and would sing and dance in the living room," she said. Crombie played Gilbert Blythe in the CBC TV film "Anne of Green Gables" in 1984, and again in its 1987 and 2000 sequels. "He really enjoyed that series and was happy, very proud of it we all were," Carrie said. She said his favourite role was when he played the lead in
Broadway's "Drowsy ChapThe Toronto, Canada erone" in 2007. "That was native also has several TV just an amazing thing for credits to his name. He aphim to be able to do." peared in "The Good Wife",
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"21 Jump Street", " "Power Play", and voiced Benjamin Bear in "The Secret World of Benjamin Bear".
‘Furious 7’ races to $1 Billion
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urious 7 has smashed another major movie record by becoming the first film to hit the $1 Billion mark at the Global Box Office in less than 19 days. The blockbuster action movie has hit the milestone in just 17 days - two days faster than The Avengers, Avatar and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. The film, featuring Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker, has grabbed an estimated $735 million (£490 million) internationally and $273 million (£182 million) in North America.
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Pakistani cartoon 'Burka Avenger' set to launch in India in April
he Pakistani cartoon 'Burka Avenger' is set to launch in India on Zee Network in April. The episodes have been specially dubbed in 4 languages for India including Hindi, English, Tamil and Telagu. Deputy Business Head of ZeeQ Aparna Bhosle said that the show was amazing; both in terms of quality of animation as well as storytelling. The Int'l Emmy nominated and multi-award winning animated TV series is an action-comedy that follows the adventures of Burka Avenger and three young kids in the imaginary city of Halwapur as they fight the evil Baba Bandook and his henchmen.
‘Mary Kom’ wins best film at Stockholm International Film Fest
Rockers Kiss to star in new Scooby-doo movie C M Y K
Haven't been in a grocery store in 50 years: Al Pacino
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ctor Al Pacino says he hasn't been able to lead a normal life since finding fame several decades ago. The 74-year-old "Godfather" star insists he doesn't mind being recognised when he is out and about, though his kids find it harder to deal with, reported Female First. "I haven't been in a grocery store or ridden a subway in 50 years. I don't mind (fame) but my kids have a difficult time going out with me publicly. "I'm fine not having anonymity, I've sort of learnt how
to live with it," he said. The actor said he will support his children if they decide to follow in his footsteps because he thinks they are already showing signs of talent. Asked if he would encourage his kids into showbiz, he said, "If there is talent - which there is - I will. Who else is going to hire me when I get old? "My youngest daughter made a video the other day - just like that - put it together, edited, did the whole thing. Amazing," he added.
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ollywood actress Priyanka Chopra-starrer "Mary Kom", directed by Omung Kumar, has been named best film at the Stockholm International Film Festival Junior in Sweden. The biopic, based on the life of Olympic medal-winning Indian boxer Mary Kom, was awarded the Bronze Horse award, the highest honour of the festival. "'Mary Kom' was selected for the Stockholm International Film
Festival Junior in Sweden, and we have won the best film award and been given the Bronze Horse award, the highest honour in this festival. The jury was made up of kids ranging from the age of nine to 17 years," Omung said of the win. "Mary Kom" premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and released on September 5 last year to positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
'Surkhaab': Film on illegal migration to release on May 22
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urkhaab, a cinematic tale of a woman who has to face unexpected events when she illegally migrates to Canada to be with her younger brother, will have a limited release in India on May 22, courtesy PVR Director's Rare.
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The movie, directed by Sanjay Talreja, stars talented actress Barkha Madan in the lead role of a strong woman named Jeet; with Sumit Suri, Vinita Malik and Naresh Gosain in supporting roles. Having travelled to various places and winning praises at international fests in Madrid, Toronto and London, the drama thriller Glad that movies with strong female prowill see the light of day in Delhi, Mumbai, Ban- tagonists are being well received by audiencgalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Luc- es, Surkhaab producer Vivek Kumar says the know, Chandigarh and Amritsar. film, "with its talented star cast and gripping
story is sure to strike a chord with the Indian diaspora across the globe". "Additionally, the response from the international festival circuit has been over-whelming and I'm sure that the evolving Indian audience will enjoy the film as well," he added. The movie explores underlying themes of globalisation, cross immigration and women empowerment. Talreja says the aim of the movie is "to touch upon the theme of women empowerment and problems concerning migration" and he hopes "audiences will be able to relate to the story of an underdog who emerges triumphant against all odds". Sanjeev Bijli, joint managing director, PVR Group, vouches for the fact that the movie is a "brilliant piece of work".
Calling the win a "big", Omung said the film will also be screened at the Indian Film Festival in Sweden next month. "This award is a very big thing for us because now it will bridge the gap between Sweden and India. We can now distribute our films over here. 'Mary Kom' will again be showcased in Sweden by the Indian Embassy at the Indian Film Festival next month," he said.
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ene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer have voiced themselves in the animated project, which will revolve around a Halloween Kiss concert at a theme park. The group teams up with Scooby, Shaggy and the rest of the gang to tackle the Crimson Witch in the film, Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery, which will also feature a brand new track from the rock band and characters voiced by actor/director Kevin Smith, Garry and Penny Marshall and country singer Darius Rucker, among others. The film isn't Kiss' first Scooby-Doo appearance - they showed up in a 2003 episode of TV cartoon series What's New, Scooby Doo?
Hope Centre For Excellence & Patkai Christian College presents
Maria Cherednikova In Concert on Thursday 23rd April 5.30 pm At Bundrock Chapel, Patkai Christian College
All welcome to an evening of beautiful violin music. Entry Free!
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Monday, 20th April 2015
Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders
8:00 PM IST
Ferozeshah Kotla, Delhi
Rajasthan crush Chennai by 8 wickets
AHMEDABAD, April 19 (pTi): A rampaging Rajasthan Royals thrashed Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets as openers Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane hit strokeful fifties to help the team register their fifth straight win in this season of the IPL on Sunday. Chasing 157 for a win at their adopted home ground at Motera, RR rode on a 144run record opening stand between skipper Watson (73 off 47 balls) and Rahane (76 not out) to canter home in 18.2 overs and hand CSK their first loss in this edition. The previous best opening partnership for RR was the 135-run stand between Graeme Smith and Naman Ojha in Durban, South Africa in 2009. After taking stock of the slow-paced wicket in the first 6 overs, Watson cut loose before the strategic time-out to punish the CSK bowlers at will. Making his first IPL appearance this season, Watson, who took over the reins from stand-in-skipper Steven Smith, hit 6 fours and 4 sixes to provide perfect entertainment to the Sunday crowd. Rahane, who smashed his second fifty of the season, matched Watson stroke by stroke to accumu-
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Felice Herrig, bottom, is lifted by Paige VanZant before being dropped during a UFC mixed martial arts bout, Saturday, April 18, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo)
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CAiro, April 19 (AFp): An Egyptian court on Sunday sentenced 11 football fans to death after a retrial over a 2012 stadium riot in the canal city of Port Said that left 74 people dead. An appeals court had ordered the retrial of 73 defendants in February last year after rejecting a lower court verdict sentencing 21 people to death for being involved in the incident. The riot erupted in February 2012 when fans of home team Al-Masry and Cairo's Al-Ahly clashed after a premier league match between the two clubs. Sunday's death sentences against 11 football fans have been referred to Egypt's grand mufti. The court will make a final decision on their fates, as well as those of the other defendants, on May 30. The 73 defendants include nine police officers and three officials from Al-Masry club, while the rest were fans of Al-Masry club. Two of those sentenced to death are on the run. The 2012 clashes in the Port Said stadium sparked days of violent protests in Cairo, in which another 16 people were killed in fighting with security forces. A year later, dozens of people also died in the canal city during clashes that erupt-
1st Along Memorial Trophy
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DiMApur, April 19 (MExN): in the ongoing 1st Along Memorial Trophy, ISAH and Flamingoz registered wins in their respective matches to enter the semifinals. In the first match on Day 3, ISAH defeated Dimapur Royals by 20 runs to set up a clash with Brotherhood CC. ISAH winning the toss had elected to bat and scored 88 losing 8 wickets in a 15 over match. The Royals’ run chase never really got off as they were bundled out for 68. Jonathan Rongsen of ISAH was awarded the man of the match for his 27 runs and 1 wicket. In the second match between Flamingoz and Dimapur Dons, Flamingoz batted first and managed to score 128. In reply, the Dons were bowled out for 60 as Flamingoz won by a margin of 68 runs. Muzibur Ali was awarded the man of the match for his contribution of 27 runs and 2 wickets. April 20 Fixtures (Semifinals) ISAH vs Brotherhood @9 AM Flamingoz vs Blue Star @1 PM
ed after the lower court handed down the 21 death sentences. The Port Said riots were the deadliest sport-related riots in Egypt, where football fans regularly clash against rival supporters or with security forces. The authorities reacted by imposing a ban on fans attending premier league matches and held the games behind closed doors. But on February 8, at least 19 people died in a stampede after police fired tear gas at fans trying to force their way into a Cairo stadium for a premier league match that was open to the public. Television footage showed crowds squeezed inside a narrow metal enclosure, jostling to enter the stadium when the stampede erupted as police fired tear gas. The police reject the accusations and blame the unrest on Islamists. Sixteen suspects accused of clashing with police on that day have been arrested and referred to trial. Egypt's hard-core football fans, the "ultras", have often clashed with police, including in political unrest that has seen two presidents toppled since 2011. The "ultras" were at the forefront of protests against long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
Ajinkya Rahane of Rajasthan Royals bats during match 15 of the Pepsi IPL 2015 (Indian Premier League) between The Rajasthan Royals and The Chennai Superkings held at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, April 19. (IPL Photo)
late 231 runs in five appearances and get the Orange Cap, for being the leading run-scorer, on his head. Watson was finally done in by a yorker from Ravindra Jadeja as the leftarm spinner got a consolation wicket in the 17th over. CSK delayed the inevitable by getting another wicket as Smith (6) gave a simple caught and bowled
chance to Dwayne Bravo in the 19th over. Karun Nair (1 not out) walked in to hit the winning runs as Rahane savoured the victory at the non-strikers end with his 55-ball stay laced with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Earlier electing to bat in hot and testing conditions, CSK lost early wickets, but skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (31 not out) and
Bravo, in his 36-ball knock, stitched an unbeaten 91run fifth wicket partnership to lift the team to 156 for four in 20 overs. Bravo, who brought up his first fifty of the season in just 29 balls, smashed 8 fours and a six while Dhoni played the sheet anchors role but was a tad slow in his 37-ball stay. Dwayne Smith also struck a 29-ball
40 to give the much-needed boost after CSK were in trouble at 39 for three. Looking to make full use of the powerplays in the first six overs, CSK opener Brendon McCullum (12) fell to leg-spinner Pravin Tambe (1-36) after he mistimed a pull to James Faulkner at mid-on. Suresh Raina (4) was the next to go as Chris Morris (1-19) got the left-hander caught behind in the sixth over. Young left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma (1-26), who opened the bowling for the Shane Watson-led side, then got Faf du Plessis back in the dug out to reduce CSK to 39 for three. But just when it looked that Smith, whose innings was laced with 3 fours and 2 sixes, will bail the visitors out of trouble with his big and powerful hitting, RR medium-pacer Faulkner (1-26) got the burly West Indian clean bowled just after the strategic time out post the ninth over. But Faulkner and company bowled a decent line and length during the course of the 20 overs and South African medium-pacer Morris summed up the team's bowling in the final 6 deliveries, allowing the opposition batsmen only 7 runs.
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Aston Villa shock Liverpool, sets up FA Cup final clash with Arsenal
WEMBlY, April 19 (AGENCiES): Aston Villa provided a huge shock on Sunday as they beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium to seal an FA Cup final against Arsenal on May 30 and denySteven Gerrard a fairytale finish to his Liverpool career. It all started so well for Liverpool as Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring in the first half. Villa responded well after going behind and Chrsitian Benteke finished off a flowing team move to make it 1-1. In the second half Fabian Delph delivered the gamewinning moment as Tim Sherwood punched the air with glee as the final whistle blew at Wembley and Villa’s fans rejoiced at reaching their first FA Cup final in 15 years and also hand themselves a huge boost in their fight against relegation from the Pre-
mier League. After a positive start Villa were dealt a blow as Nathan Baker had to be replaced by Jonas Okore after Baker fell awkwardly. That change disrupted the underdogs flow and in the 29th minute a driving run forward from Jordan Henderson opened up Villa’s defense. The ball then pinballed around as Villa couldn’t clear their lines andRaheem Sterling found Coutinho who took one touch to settle himself before slotting home his third goal of the FA Cup campaign to put Liverpool 1-0 up. Villa were soon level as Jack Grealish played in Fabian Delph down the left and his cut-back was finished coolly by Benteke. 1-1. Coutinho and Dejan Lovren went close before half time for Liverpool, but Villa were good value to go in level at the break.
At half time Mario Balotelli replaced Lazar Markovic as Liverpool pushed the Italian up top and moved Sterling out wide. That switch did little to swing the tie in Liverpool’s favor as Gerrard’s longrange effort went over, then Benteke had an effort at the other end which tamely made its way through to Simon Mignolet. Delph then gave Villa their first lead of the match as Benteke surged clear of Liverpool’s defense, played a wonderful backheel to Grealish and the teenager found Delph who sent a composed finish past Mignolet who dove the wrong way. 55 minutes gone, 2-1 to Villa. Late on Liverpool tried to pile on the pressure but could not break down a resolute Villa defense, as Sherwood’s boys made their first FA Cup final since 2000.
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Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph, second left, celebrates with teammates, Aston Villa’s Ashley Westwood, left and Tom Cleverley, second right, after scoring his sides second goal of the game during the English FA Cup semifinal soccer match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, April 19. (AP Photo)
Aguero strikes as City beat West Ham MANCHESTEr, April 19 (AGENCiES): Manchester City closed the gap on Manchester United in the Premier League table after a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. James Collins gifted the home side the opener with an own-goal after 18 minutes and Sergio Aguero added a second before half-time. The result sees City reduce United’s lead over them to just a single point, after the third-placed side lost 1-0 at Chelsea on Saturday evening. After the 4-2 dismantling at Old Trafford last weekend, Manchester City could not have wished for a better game in which to bounce back than at home to West Ham – who from the first whistle had the look of a team who knew their season was already over. The first sign of danger for the Hammers came within five minutes when David Silva got in behind their defence and managed to bring a pass down from Martin Demichelis, but the Spaniard couldn’t quite get his shot away before he was blocked off. Allardyce’s side looked well off the pace and their sloppy play at the back saw them give the ball away on more than one occasion in the early stages, a trait that led to both goals they conceded in the opening half. First, Adrian’s goal kick that barely reached the halfway line was picked up by Navas, who charged forward menacingly. His cross from the right was poor and only reached defender Collins, but the Welsh international got his feet into a major muddle and somehow managed to slice the ball over his own keeper under no real pressure. Then, with less than 10 minutes until half time, Stewart Downing relinquished possession on
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Manchester City's Jesus Navas, right, fights for the ball against West Ham United's Carl Jenkinson during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester on April 19. (AP Photo)
halfway, only for Aguero to pick it up and skip past Collins before driving at the heart of West Ham’s defence. The Argentine then played a little one-two with the lively Navas before finishing calmly from close range. City were two up and cruising. And they continued to dominate after the break, with Aguero and Silva both having chances that they couldn't quite convert for a City third. It was a satisfying afternoon for Manuel Pellegrini, and his only real concern would have been for Silva, who went down clutching his face
following an elbow from Cheikhou Kouyate. The West Ham midfielder was booked for his troubles but he could easily have seen red for a challenge that saw the City midfielder taken off on a stretcher to a warm ovation from all corners of the Etihad after seven minutes of treatment. Understandably, the game lost a little momentum after the injury to Silva and other than a decent chance for Enner Valencia the home side never looked in any real danger, cruising to a victory that also sees them extend their gap over fifthplace Liverpool to seven points.
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