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SaturDaY • auGuSt 13 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 222 • 12 PAGes • 5
T H e
ESTD. 2005
P o W e R
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T R u T H
Our moral, religious, and political traditions are united in their respect for the dignity of human life — Robert Casey LS passes resolution on Kashmir, appeals for peace
Chief Secretary stresses on using technology
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reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Morung Express News
Minor raped in Kohima Morung Express News Dimapur | August 12
A 14 year-old girl was allegedly raped in Kohima. The incident, according to sources, occurred on the night of August 11. It came to light after the victim told her family, who later filed a police complaint. As per the sources, an FIR was lodged Friday afternoon after which the accused was arrested a few hours later by the police. The accused, whose identity could not be ascertained, is reportedly an unemployed youth in his 20s. He allegedly lured the girl and committed the crime. The accused was stated to be in police custody at the time of filing this report.
ACAUT voices out against illegal tender permits KOHIMA, AUGUST 12 (MExN): ACAUT Nagaland today alleged that the Administrator of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) was issuing so-called ‘Tender Permits’ on essential commodities to “few moneyed individuals, thereby abusing the system shamelessly.” A press note from the ACAUT said there is “no ground for issuance of Tender Permits and allowing a handful of individuals to monopolise one of the biggest markets in the state.” “This Tender Permit system is absolutely condemnable and the Administrator of KMC should immediately clarify as to who is behind this trying to introduce syndicate system failing which the KMC establishment shall not be above suspicion of having compromised itself,” it stated, and supported the KVYO’s demand to revoke all illegal permits within 7 days. It also said the demand of Tuensang Town All Ward Union (TTAWU) demanding from the DC, Tuensang, for the cancellation of all ‘Agency Systems’ is justified and long overdue.
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Zhavame, one of the last villages under Phek district bordering Manipur state, is also one of the few villages in Nagaland that is home to a number of people who still hold on to their ancestral faith. There are approximately 19 households in the village, (numbering about 30 people), who have not converted to Christianity, and still believe in their traditional or ancestral religion. They are however, a fading generation. All their children have converted to Christianity, making them the last to hold on to their faith. With the ancestral religion transcended by a ‘new faith,’ Athe, one of the last remaining believers in ancestral religion, underscore the importance of one’s ancestral belief, which she points out to this Correspondent, has a lot to do with the preservation of culture and tradition. “Many of the traditional rites and rituals will disap-
pear after we are gone,” she states in a matter of fact manner, albeit with a wistful tone. “We even asked our children to join us but they have all refused and we cannot force them,” she adds. “The traditional months that we use to adhere to is also crucial even in the practice of agriculture, she explains as one case in point, specifying the relationship of religion, which is linked to the agricultural cycles and other natural rhythms of the earth. The performance of such rituals, now a dying practice and vanished from most of the Naga villages, was witnessed during a recent festival held in the village from July 30, 2016, which lasted for five days. “Laoni” (also called Naoni) Festival is considered as one of the most prominent festivals by the Zhavame community at large, although with the advent of Christianity, the celebration of the festival has been confined in respective homes by feasting and with children setting up camps
A man carry out ‘Mila’ or traditional fire making during the Laoni Festival at Zhavame village under Phek district.
in different khels to mark the celebration. For those who hold on to the old beliefs however, it means a series of rituals to be meticulously performed during the period of the
festival as laid down by their ancestors. On the first day, they refrain from eating rice and stick to drinking only local brew with a pinch of salt. Each year, the rituals are
led by a couple (on rotation basis), and their adherence to it is believed to be crucial for the entire community. The second day (which is also the most important day of the festival) begins
with the assigned couple offering the finest local brew wrapped in banana leaves to “the divine being.” This is followed by ‘Mila’ or traditional fire making, another crucial act, as the success in the fire making determines how early they can eat after a day of going without food. They are also forbidden to cook in their everyday fireplace, but a fresh traditional hearth is solely made for the ritual with three shapely stones to support an exclusive earthen pot. Once the fire is lit, each member borrows the fire from there and takes it to their respective homes to cook for the day. A cow is also slaughtered at the house of the couple performing the rituals for the year and is equally divided amongst them. For the next three days, they feast only on beef and local brew and eat rice only on the fifth day, which also calls for more rituals, and subsequently sums up the celebration. ‘Naoni,’ which literally means ‘completely
exhausted after working in the fields for so long,’ is a celebration to relax and rest, after all the hard work invested in their agricultural activities. In the olden days, the festival was celebrated with much fervor and gaiety comprising of different khels singing, drinking, feasting, and wearing new attires. Regardless of their group being small in number, they have so far managed to remain uninfluenced by Christianity, and continue to diligently practice the rituals of this ancestral religion. “We perform rituals in everything- be it birth, death, sickness or agriculture,” Athe points out, indicating how rituals are an integral element of their religion. As their population diminishes with old age catching up on them- andwith no new members willing to join the dying faith, Athe is worried. “Who is going to perform the last rites for the last member to die here,” she poignantly questions.
Still premature to introduce 33% reservation: Naga Hoho NSCN (IM) office Naga issue should be approached with DIMAPUR, AUGUST 12 (MExN): A day after the Nagaland Government announced the decision of the Cabinet to conducts polls to Urban Local Bodies (ULB) by granting 33% women reservation, oppositions have begun to roll in. On Friday, the Naga Hoho, the first to register protest, said it was surprised over the decision of the Cabinet for approval of the election to the municipalities “without consulting the civil societies as one of the major stake holders within the state.” In a representation addressed to the Chief Minister TR Zeliang with “plea for redressal on election to the ULBs,” the Naga Hoho mentioned its 4th Federal Assembly (2008-13) August 24, 2011 resolution that, “it is still pre-mature to intro-
duce 33% reservation in Naga society and therefore the house resolved to advocate women empowerment by creating various opportunities.” Taking that a bone of contention, the Naga Hoho appealed the Chief Minister to keep the Cabinet decision in abeyance without issuing the notification until the “matter is settled amicably.” Mention may be made here that the Nagaland Government on August 11, Thursday had announced the Cabinet decision to conduct election to ULBs with 33% reservation while maintaining that the state has not been able to avail the annual development funds granted by the centre for ULBs, which it said, was a great loss.
‘Talks are progressing in right direction with determination’
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 12 (MExN): In a joint communiqué, NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah and interlocutor to the Indo-Naga peace process, RN Ravi on Friday sought to assure the Naga people that the talks between the two entities have been “progressing in the right direction with determination.” It said the political initiative of the Government of India and NSCN (IM) to amicably resolve the Naga political issue has received a new urgency and impetus during the last two years. “The talks have become more purposeful, less ritualistic, more forthright and far more frequent. In the last two years, we met more times than all the years before. It helped building unprecedented mutual understanding and trust.” It recalled that Prime Minister Nar-
endra Modi’s statesmanship, his respect and love for the Naga people, their legitimate rights and aspirations and wisdom of the Naga leaders could lead to the historic Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 which settles the political parameters of the final solution, adding “Within these parameters details are being worked out in earnest.” Muivah and Ravi also admitted that the prolonged illness and unfortunate passing away of Isak Chishi Swu, chairman of NSCN (IM) adversely impacted the process and that his departure is a big loss for all. Assuring that the talks have been progressing in the right direction with determination, the joint communiqué said, “We are closer than ever before to the final settlement and hope to conclude it sooner than later.”
ransacked at Wokha pragmatism and benevolence: SC Jamir Morung Express News Dimapur | August 12
The office of the NSCN (IM) ‘Wokha Town Command’ was ransacked by an irate crowd at Wokha town on August 12. The incident, as per the report, was the upshot of a case of ‘taxation’ involving two men alleged to be NSCN (IM) cadres. According to the report, two persons were arrested by the police at around 5pm at Santsuphen some 15 km from Wokha Town towards Tseminyu. The two, identified as Renchamo Khuvung (33 years) and Ngachanpam Kasar (31 years), were reportedly collecting money from commercial vehicles proceeding to Kohima. After report of the arrests spread, an agitated crowd gathered at the Wokha Police Station reportedly demanding the duo be handed over to the public. “The situation calmed only after elders intervened, who appealed for allowing the law to take its course,” said an eyewitness. The crowd then dispersed only to congregate at the NSCN (IM) Town Command office located at NST colony. The eyewitness said the office was ransacked while the crowd collected the stationery found inside the office and set it on fire at Wokha police point. Wokha police while confirming the arrest of the duo stated that they had admitted to collecting money from vehicles under the command of one NSCN (IM) functionary, who was reportedly the ‘ZCO cum Town Command’ of Wokha town. According to Wokha police, the functionary, who remains at large, is also wanted by the police in another case. While informing that the situation was under control with no report of any casualty, the Wokha police said that complaints were registered against the arrested duo as well as the one absconding. Other sources added that the public led by Wokha frontal organisations lodged the FIRs.
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 12 (MExN): Governor of Odisha and former Nagaland State Chief Minister, Dr SC Jamir today stated that “a great reconciliation and a permanent settlement to the decades old Naga political problem stares at everyone’s face.” In a public statement released to the media today, Jamir said the Naga people need to reconcile with the political, economic, social and cultural realities of the world. “They have to first set their house in order by reconciling among themselves. No other external agencies but the Government of India alone can bail out the Nagas from their predicaments. There should not be any illusion about this reality,” he stated. Regarding the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India (GoI), Jamir stated that “the landscape and texture of Naga polity would be determined by the framework agreement, provided it is mandated by the people.” He however stated that “no attempt to find a solution to the long-standing Naga problem can be successful unless all sections of the people in the State were taken on board.” The Odisha Governor further put forward certain suggestions to be considered. Regarding the differing opinions on ownership and transfer of land and its recourses between the state government and the centre, Jamir suggested that the latter adopt an accommo-
encsU stage protest to demand review of nsee-ii results Our Correspondent Kohima | August 12
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lAst of tHe Ancestors: Holding on to a dying faith Vishü Rita Krocha
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As part of its first phase of agitation, the Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) today staged sit-in-protest outside Secretariat Complex here and expressed its resentment against non fulfilment of its demand pertaining to NSEE-II result 2016. Amongst the many placards reads ‘Review NSEE-II results 2016 immediately,’ ‘Justice has not been done to BTs in NSEE –II 2016,’‘We will not accept reservation with uniform cut-off mark,’ ‘Manipulation has deprived Eastern Nagaland of the opportunity to study technical course since the creation of Nagaland state’ etc. Representatives from ENPO, ENSF and ENWO also addressed the gathering and extended their
Protestors holding placards at the ENCSU sit in Kohima on August 12.
solidarity. Later, the Union submitted a representation to Chief Minister seeking his immediate intervention and necessary action “to address our demand mentioned in our memorandum which was submitted to Chief Secretary Nagaland on or before 15 August 2016, failing which the Union will
take extreme action even by disturbing in the celebration of Independence Day.” The Union stated that it had submitted two representations to the state government through the Director Technical Department and the Chief Secretary, Nagaland respectively. The Union brought to the
notice of Chief Minister that the ENCSU is not in position to accept the reply from the Government of Nagaland, Department of Higher &Technical Education dated August 11 2016 addressed to the chairman ENCSU as “the government has failed to addressed our genuine grievances.” The representation was signed by ENCSU Chairman, M Longre Chang and Joint Secretary, Nokchem Angth. Earlier, the Union in its ultimatum dated 26/7/2016 addressed to the Chief Secretary, demanded that no counselling for the 201617 NSEE batch should be conducted without fulfilling the demands made by the ENCSU. It also demanded immediate review of NSEE results 2016 which was declared on July 15, 2016 by the Technical Department vide no DTE/ESTT-
2/12/2016-17 and allocate the 4 seats missing from the BTs quota to the candidates belonging to BTs, by conducting entrance re-examination solely for candidates belonging to BTs or award grace marks. It also demanded that backlog seats from past 1 year i.e 201516 should be given back to BTs without any consideration in order to deliver justice to the candidates from the deprived areas. The ENCSU asked the government to strictly implement government notification vide No.HTE/ RESERV/23-1/2012 (Pt) under reservation part II clause (a). The Union also asked the government to strike out the Part III Selection Clause (d) from the same notification mentioned in the ENCSU ultimatum point no 4 as it is “against the BT reservation policy of the government.”
dative position in the matter since it “has an emotional connect with the people of Nagaland.” He also recommended general amnesty for the men in the underground and an honourable rehabilitation package for them as part of the final settlement. Their services may be best utilised by recruiting them in special battalions of any of the paramilitary forces. Other suggestions put forward included greater representation of the Nagas in Parliament, with two members each in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha; a Pan Naga League and under it a Tribal Research and Cultural Centre with full Central assistance located in Dimapur. He further stated that poor infrastructure and idle manpower are two most important factors that stand in the way of all round development of Nagaland. These cannot be tackled with the current level of funding, including Central assistance, available with the State Government, he stated, and therefore suggested that as part of the final settlement of the Naga problem, GoI constitute an Expert Group under the Niti Ayog to recommend a special economic package for the State to overcome the problems of poor infrastructure and unemployment. He then said that the effects of India’s Act East Policy and its implications for the North East and Nagaland should also be taken into account while working out a final settlement of the Naga issue. Full text on page 10