August 15th, 2016

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MonDAY • AUGUST 15 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 224 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

No one can arrive from being talented alone, work transforms talent into genius

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T R u T H

— Anna Pavlova

Nagaland Gov says education is foremost factor for development

Undermining China: towns sink after mines close

o F

US wins 1,000th Olympic gold medal

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A United Future: Naga Independence Day Celebrated

The time of the Nagas has begun: NSCN (IM) Morung Express news

our Correspondent

Dimapur | August 14

The NSCN (IM) today said Nagas are presently at the final phase of negotiation and ready to enter the last stage of nation building.

“All Nagas without exception must politically, mentally and spiritually be prepared for the era the good Lord has given to them. Inspite of oppositions here, I firmly believe that the Nagas can overcome because the era of the Nagas, the time of the Nagas and the century of the Nagas has begun”, said NSCN (IM) Kilo Kilonser, Rh. Raising.

Addressing the 70th ‘Naga Independence Day’ celebration here at Camp Hebron, he said Nagas are not alone as the international community, the Church and the land they have been fighting for is on the side of the Nagas. Even the blood of the martyrs for the Naga cause “is pleading for us and the revolutionary band, the Nazirites of the Nagas are there ready to fight for us”, Raising said.

Raising said the NSCN is for the freedom that chooses the future of Nagas, for the freedom that chooses peace and progress and, the freedom that builds bridges among people and nations. Asserting that ‘Nagalim for Christ’ is the uniting point of all Nagas, the Kilo Kilonser however said there are some people who are still being infected with tribalism and divisionism.

Raising also said many

Move forward as one family: NNC Kohima | August 14

nsCn (iM) Kilo Kilonser, Rh. Raising addressing the 70th naga independence Day celebration at Hebron Camp, sunday.

people are misinformed by the “false preachers” who argue that “sovereignty is indivisible.” “One school of thought states that ‘sovereignty is indivisible’ so it justifies absolute monarchy, whereas another school of thought speaks of ‘pluralism of sovereignty’.

All the nation-states today are built upon the concept of the latter. Shared sovereignty is a matter of mutual agreement founded on the objective reality of national necessity of two people”, he said.

Raising said the 1951 ‘Plebiscite’ speaks of assertion of the stand of the Nagas on sovereignty whereas the ‘Framework Agreement’ speaks of the recognition of the sovereignty of the Nagas.

Stating that interdependent relationship is the law of creation, he said the Framework Agreement

speaks of co-existence of the two recognized entities. “The architects of the Framework Agreement foresee that both of them will be placed in a secure position politically, militarily and commercially when they walk together and act together as partners in all fields than forced union of the two people inimical to each other”, he added.

He further reiterated that “integration” of all Naga territories is a natural necessity, not a choice Representatives from the Naga Hoho, Nagaland GBs Federation, NSF, UNC and NPMHR, in their respective speeches expressed solidarity to the Framework Agreement and urged the NSCN (IM) to speed up the process of bringing about an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga political issue.

Full text on page 10

Naga people have a bright future: NSCN (R)

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14 (MExN): The NSCN (R) today said that it will “never forsake theNagaPeopleandpartawayfromNagahistory but uphold the Naga National Plebiscite of 1951 till Nagas become a Nation.”

In his speech to mark Naga Independence Day, the NSCN (R) President, Y Wangtin Naga reminded how the Naga People under the “great and ablest leadership of Late AZ Phizo, the then President of NNC declared Naga Independence which clearly drew a vertical line between India and Nagaland as two neighbouring countries.”

He traced the history of the Naga movement from the formation of the Naga club

to the present day. Referring to the Naga Plebiscite of 1951, the NSCN (R) President stated that “its result displayed 99% voted for Naga Independence.” “This was how, the zeal and un-dying desire of the Naga people displayed to India and entire world that, they would never become Indian. Today, the Naga People are most fortunate people who have bright future and visionary leaders who led us thus far,” he added.

It further stated that the NSCN (R) “being the youngest Revolutionary organisation should lead the Naga National struggle and ready to face any given situation and eventualities to defend our nationhood.”

Full text on page 10

The Naga National Council (NNC) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) today celebrated the 70th Naga Independence Day here at the Transit Peace Camp. FGN Kedahge, General (Retd.) Viyalie Metha unfurled the National flag.

Speaking during the occasion, NNC President Adinno Phizo in her speech said “before 1947, Nagas and Indians hardly knew each other. But with the changing of times, Nagas under AZ Phizo led the Naga representatives and met all prominent Indian leaders to understand each other’s position.”

She said Nagas sought peace and harmony between Nagaland and India but India responded with war and brought divide and rule. “A small nation surrounded by armed forces of a giant nation is unthinkable but it is going on between Nagaland and India,” said Adinno.

She said the Nagas have gone through a horrific time during the war with India (1954-1964). “We shall always remember our people who sacrificed for the nation,” she

nnC President, Adinno Phizo; FGn Kedahge, Gen (Retd) Viyalie Metha and others during the celebration of naga independence Day on August 14. (Morung Photo)

added.

Phizo also said that in the past, Nagaland was a self sufficient country, and claimed “people were happy, trusting and honest.

No ‘tribalism’ unlike the present, it only started by the educated people who fight for jobs/salary with false pride. It is everyone’s duty to keep the country safe from evil and return to normality.”

Gen. (Retd) Metha meanwhile

Naga issue can’t be solved behind ‘We should not closed doors, says GPRN/NSCN belittle ourselves’

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN today stated that the Naga issue cannot be solved “behind closed doors and with one man.”

This was said in a statement from the MIP of the GPRN/ NSCN to mark the Naga Independence Day on August 14, which was celebrated at Khehoi Camp, with GPRN/NSCN Convenor, NPAC Kughalu Mulatonu as the Chief Guest.

The GPRN/NSCN, in its statement said that this is the day to “remember and salute our patriots, the leaders and the freedom followers, who undertook the great task of proclaiming and declaring the freedom of the British administered Naga areas on August 14, 1947.”

It meanwhile stated that the “focal view” of the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India “is more of economic arrangement for a particular section rather than a political solution for all Nagas.”

It added that the “sane voices of intellectuals, pioneers and

GPRn/nsCn Convenor, nPAC Kughalu Mulatonu speaking on the occasion of naga independence Day.

actual stakeholders are being drowned by the preposterous and adulatory statements of few sponsored NGOs, civil societies and the Nagaland state government.”

It reminded that the people “wield greater power and authority than the signatories of agreements.” The GPRN/ NSCN while appreciating the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s gesture, reiterated

Public Notice Dmp Railway Station is second highest earner of NEFR Dear readers, This is to inform you that The Morung Express will be closed on August 15, 2016, and will reopen on August 16, 2016. The next issue of The Morung Express will be available on August 17. 2016.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

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C M Y K

Morung Express news Dimapur | August 14

Revenue generation at the Dimapur Railway Station has increased by two fold over the past 5 years. Comparatively lagging in terms of amenities and sanitation, the station nevertheless continues to remain an unfailing cash cow of the Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR), second only to Guwahati Railway Station.

Annual earnings of the station crossed the Rs. 60 crore mark during the 2015-16 financial year with the bulk of the income coming from passenger ticket sales. The increase in revThe Morung Express enue bodes well for the station as upPoll QuEsTion keep funding of rail stations is stated to be directly related to its earnings.

Vote on www.morungexpress.com The 2015-16 earnings, according SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 to RN Ranmung, Divisional CommerTripura govt withdrew cial Manager, Lumding Division, far AFSPA after 18 years surpasses the earnings of 2012-13 at in 2015, shouldn’t Rs. 31.6 crore. At a media interaction in Nagaland govt do the Dimapur on August 14, Ranmung dissame and withdraw AFSPA from the State? closed that the station experienced significant increase in ticket sales during the past the two years in addition to a Yes no others 10.4 percent growth in parcel earnings.

Should universal While returns from freight haulhuman rights be given age remains negligible, he made an priority over customary interesting observation stating that law in Nagaland? Why? inbound cargo trumps outbound 32% Yes cargo in terms of quantity.

22% no With export of Nagaland products 46% others negligible, the IOC, FCI and traders Details on page 7 remain as the station’s key clients in

paid respect to the “great leaders who pioneered to bring the Nagas once scattered, together as one family.” He extended gratitude to all national workers of the NNC and FGN for their dedication and sacrifices.

“For seventy years Nagas have been endlessly suffering in the hands of Indian occupational Armed Forces. People who lack integrity were bribed to go against the

government to weaken it. One of the recent Indian acts of notoriety is forcing the innocent Naga public to obtain Indian citizenship card called ‘Adhaar’ card, without which our people are denied to avail facilities even on payment of their daily utilities such as cooking gas, telephone and banking services etc. whereas, it is voluntary for genuine Indians. Unfortunately this cannot make a Naga an Indian or a Mongolian an Aryan,” Metha said.

He also stated that over the past few years, “our land has been plagued by extortionist so-called governments of factional groups who made peace agreement with India but peace is not found amongst themselves and with the people.”

He added that there can be only one government for a nation and said propagators of multiple governments in the land are trying to fool others. Metha also said “now is time to move forward for a brighter future of our people as one family. And for which, my appeal goes to those who had done wrong in the past to refrain from repeating wrong doing.”

the freight segment.

As per Ranmung, “Based on earnings of Passenger Reservation System or PRS and Unreserved Ticketing System (ticket sales) categorisation of stations are done for providing amenities.”

Currently, Dimapur Railway Station is placed in category A. Yearly earnings of 60-plus crore is said to be the accepted benchmark to get to the next level – A+1, the category in which the Guwahati Railway Station is placed at present.

Explaining the Railways’ position as regards investment, he said, “Contrary to (perceived) notion, the Railways get no free financial support from the government. All we get is monopoly in the rail transport sector. We too get gross budgetary support from the government as capital investment, which has to be repaid in the form of dividends annually.”

Nevertheless, he added that attempt is being made to improve the facilities at the station. UTS counters have been increased to 4 and the number of counters at the PRS section stands at 3+3. However, not more than 2 PRS counters are open on any given day.

Passenger amenities like water, electricity, sanitation and food vending units have been ensured, Ranmung said. Stating that effort is being made to maintain a higher frequency of cleaning drives, he termed cleanliness as a big issue, which it calls for a conscious effort from passengers.

The station has 3 platforms with

platform 1 and 2 narrow and hardly used. It has resulted in congestion at platform 1. To ease this, he said that broadening work on platform 2 and 3 will be undertaken soon without giving a timeframe.

On the traffic frequency, it was informed that 21 mail express pairs of trains have stoppage at Dimapur, while two pairs of mail express trains (Nagaland and BG Express) originate and terminate here. In addition, there is a passenger train that shuttles between Dimapur and Jorhat daily and another between Tinsukia and Lumding, he said.

For smooth railways, Ranmung sought the assistance and suggestions from the public. The Railways have the system of ‘users’ consultative committee’ at Zonal and Divisional levels, which act as public liaison. While the public can directly write to the Station Managers to address grievances, he said that Nagaland has members in the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) and in the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC).

In Assam, these committees play a critical role in highlighting passenger grievances and providing suggestions for improving or increasing train service. Ranmung said that there are four members from Nagaland at the ZRUCC and two in the DRUCC, all of whom are prominent state personalities the public can contact.

that “talks with a single faction will not end the Indo Naga political issue.”

“Naga issue cannot be solved behind closed doors and with one man. Every Naga tribe occupies a compact and specific area since immemorial. Many dwell under Myanmar and Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, all divided without their consent. The present Nagaland state and the tribes inhabiting it have been the fortress and the inexhaustible reservoir of freedom fighters.

An arrangement between GoI and a single faction, shrouded in mystery for more than a year do not augur well for the people of Nagaland,” it stated.

It viewed that the “future of the people of Nagaland is no less important than that of the future of Burma Nagas, Manipur Nagas, Assam Nagas or Arunachal Nagas.”

The GPRN/NSCN asserted that “together with our people,” it would “pursue a comprehensive political discourse that is transparent and charted by the people.”

Full text on page 10

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14 (MExN): President of the NNC/GDRN (Non Accord), Kiumukam Yimchunger, on the occasion of Naga Independence Day, appealed to all Naga political groups to “work together and raise our heads and stand firm for our common goals.”

He stated that the “Nagas should not belittle ourselves that we have not enough land, population or are unworthy; we have our uniqueness in every way.”

“We have enough land, our traditions, our customs, and civilisation since India was created. Many talented and brave leaders have sacrificed their life, taken time and wealth for the liberation of Nagaland,” he stated.

He asserted that the NNC/GDRN (Non-Accord) “shall continuously pursue what our pioneer had dreamed for the Nagas. For the powers and chairs are temporary but the nationhood is not, and the size or the stature of the leadership is measured by the people only.”

Yimchunger further stated that the Naga people “have produced multiple intellectuals, scholars, think tanks, orators, writers and multiple rich people and above all many statesmen.” “Now we have this question to ponder that what will be the best for the people whether to continue to march bearing legacy of the sovereignty that was sowed deeply by the bygone leaders or to live under the bondage of other,” he concluded.

Full text on page 10

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MonDAY 15•08•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Nagaland Gov says education is NPCC welcomes decision to hold ULBs election foremost factor for development

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14 (MExN): Nagaland State Governor, PB Acharya today stated that the first and foremost factor for development of society is education.

In his Independence Day message to the people of Nagaland State, the Governor said that 65 percent of the state’s population consists of the youth.

“If our universities and other educational institutions add skill in the academic contents, our youth will be employable and they will develop Human Resource for the world.

Our youths coming out of Universities should be job givers and not job seekers,” he encouraged.

He further expressed pride that “a small state like Nagaland has four Universities - Nagaland University, ICFAI University, the Global Open University of Nagaland and St Joseph Catholic University of Nagaland.” “Empowerment of prospective young men and women by education is important,” he added.

The Governor stated that August 15 “is a day of dedication and hallowed remembrance for us. Our great leaders and many generations of our countrymen waged a powerful struggle for Independence.”

He affirmed that the present government in the centre has earmarked Rs. 5,000 Crore for improving roads and bridges for the

Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya.

North East. “For the first time in the history of our mountainous State of Nagaland, foundation stone was laid for a new broad gauge railway line between Dimapur – Kohima (Zubza) by Union Minister for Railways, Suresh Prabhu on 1st August 2016 and will be completed by 2019. This is a great and significant initiative under our Prime Minister,” he stated.

He informed that the Indian National Fellowship Centre (INFC), an NGO from Mumbai, the Department of School Education, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Rotary Club Bombay (North) have worked out a project to start E-learning in 28 selected Government Higher Secondary Schools in Nagaland. This, the Governor said, will enhance the quality of learning in

government schools in the state.

He added that many initiatives for strengthening “emotional integration have been worked out like medical camps, teachers exchange programme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and give some service in the health sector in our border areas of Myanmar and Naga brothers and sisters.”

The Governor also stated that “ex-service men of Nagaland have also equally contributed to the freedom of India. We are proud of our Ex-servicemen. We should also respect and take care of the Veer Naris of the State.”

The Governor then lauded the State Government for announcing 33% reservation for women in tune with the constitutional mandate in the Urban Local Bodies of the State.

Terming this as a welcome step, he hoped this would help towards more empowerment of women.

Meanwhile, the Governor noted that that the “peculiarity of India is Unity in Diversity.” Nagas, he stated, “have a well knit social organisation which is an excellent example of unity in diversity.” “Our state has its own unique culture society and traditions making it one of the most diverse regions in the north-east part of the country. It boasts of unparalleled cultural practices, respect for different faiths, tribal life, gender equality, art forms, family values and fierce independence,” he stated.

He further said that “minority indigenous religious people, ‘Ancestors Religion’, are also equal in a secular state and should also get all the benefits of Independent India.”

He added that it is time to “make the world know that Nagaland and the whole of North East have freedom fighters, scholars, well known doctors, literary people, social workers, etc. and we are all equal.”

Regarding the ongoing talks for settlement of the Naga issue, the Governor stated that the talks are “yielding positive results.”

“The talks have become more purposeful, less ritualistic, more forthright and far more frequent. This will bring a new prospect and happy era for all the Nagas.”

KohIMA, AUGUST 14 (MExN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today welcomed the decision to hold Urban Local Bodies election, while stating that good sense had prevailed upon “NPF-led BJP DAN Govt” in agreeing to provide 33% reservation to women in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

A press release from Media Cell, NPCC said that 33% reservation for women was made through The Nagaland Municipal (First Amendment) Act, 2006, but NPF government “dithered and backtracked” in

busy taxing every item for themselves, they could not even fill potholes, provide garbage disposal or clear clogged drains. They were unaware that the duty of Council is to legislate laws, frame guidelines and rules,” the release added.

NPCC further maintained that to make a happy living place and boost the growth of economy, employment, “we need Council(s) that can provide safety and security to life and property of people.

We need Council that may facilitate entrepreneurs and traders.”

In this light, NPCC expressed expectation for free and fair election to be conducted. “We also expect voters to elect upright leaders to serve the welfare of common people...”

NPCC added that it will be a “litmus test” for Chief Minister TR Zeliang and his government as to whether they can really assert their authority in implementing the 33% women reservation in ULBs or “once again succumb to the pressures of some civil societies who have no accountability towards the people they claim to represent.”

Touch Jorhat project: Relief fund handed over to DC

KNSK condemns attempt to kill children

JoRhAT, AUGUST 14 (MExN): The 'Touch Jorhat' project initiated by the I Love Mokokchung Facebook Group in aid of the flood victims of Assam’s Jorhat district culminated today with the formal handing over of the relief money to Jorhat Deputy Commissioner at his official residence.

The handing over of the money was witnessed by the Border Peace Coordination Committee member, Er. Temsu Wathy, Ward Commissioner (Jorhat), Jayanta Baruah and media persons from Assam.

The Touch Jorhat project, which was a free charity concert held at MMC Shopping cum Parking Complex in Mokokchung Town on July 16, 2016, garnered a total sum of Rs.1,12,000 in cash, informed a press release received here.

Organised under the theme, Know thy neighbour, the concert saw more than thirty

its implementation.

After elections to ULBs were postponed on "one pretext or the other including the issue of women reservation since 2010," NPCC alleged, NPF government had “illegally” appointed their party workers in the guise of Advisors and “these people without any accountability or even an iota of moral conscience looted and destroyed the institution of local bodies.”

Majority of the council members in the past barring some few honest souls have failed to perform their duty, NPCC stated. “While

Jorhat Deputy Commissioner, Virendra Mitral (in Ao traditional waist coat) receiving the relief fund for flood victims at his official residence on Sunday, August 14, 2016.

singers, musicians and artistes performing free of cost.

Almost all the citizens, local unions and establishments also contributed physically, financially and logistically, which made the Touch Jorhat a great success, the release added.

While formally accepting the relief fund, the Jorhat DC Virendra Mitral expressed heartfelt gratitude to the ILM Facebook Group and also to

the whole citizens of Mokokchung for their solidarity, empathy and concern towards the flood victims of Assam, especially in Jorhat.

The ILM group asked the Jorhat DC to utilize the relief money at his own discretion, the release said.

Meanwhile, the DC assured the ILM group that the money will be used judiciously for the welfare of the flood victims in Jorhat.

Support ‘genuine’ Naga businesspersons: NBAK to NPGs

The Dzülhami Village Council along with frontal organizations and vehicle owners under the jurisdiction of Dzülhami village in Phek district organized a mass social work on August 12.

The village leaders and vehicle owners voluntarily repaired the 8-km long road from Dzülhami village to Sekrüzu town along the construction of 2-lane Chakhabama- Zunheboto state highway, which was left unattended by the company concerned.

KohIMA, AUGUST 14 (MExN): The first general meeting of the Naga Business Association Kohima (NBAK) took place on August 13 at APO Hall, Kohima.

Addressing Naga businesspersons and entrepreneurs, NBAK president Katsükhrie Kesiezie in his keynote address highlighted that NBAK was formed by some like-minded genuine Naga businesspersons with a view to safeguard and uplift the local businesspersons and entrepreneurs.

“We local people must venture out in the business field as it is one of the only fields where we Naga can attain self sufficiency and be self reliant,” he stated. The president said the association is a purely non- profit organisation and formed not to oppose any individual, group or community, but to support each other for the welfare of the Naga businesspersons and entrepreneurs.

Naga Students’ Forum Mangalore welcomes freshers

MANGAloRE, AUGUST 14 (MExN): Naga Students’ Forum Mangalore (NSFM) organised its 9th Fresher’s Meet on August 14 at Summer Sands Resort, Ullal, Mangalore.

Around 60 students, freshers and old timers, gathered for the occasion, where Vizhoto Tetso and Judith Kuotsu were adjudged Mr and Miss Freshers of NSFM, 2016.

Kaini Cecilia, Principal, K. Pandyarajah Ballal College of Nursing and Advisor to NSFM and North East People Association of Mangalore gave the exhortation.

The event saw varieties of competitions where winners were given cash prize. The first place in the pork eating competition was bagged by Savio Kikhi and second place was secured by YR Kapangsing. In the biscuit eating competi-

Members of Naga Students’ Forum Mangalore during the Fresher’s Meet held on August 14.

tion, Rebecca and Koulnu bagged the first prize while Margaret and Judith bagged the second prize.

Naga wrestling was also held, in which Savio Kikhi and Kevin Thol emerged first and second winners respectively.

The programme was chaired

by Ngukatoli Yeppo, while welcome address was given by Mayikho Kadete, followed by presidential address by Chiheuding Khate.

Speech on behalf of the freshers was given by Uneinuo Solo.

Among other senior and prominent businessmen, Kesao Kesiezie and Ketu Angami while speaking on the occasion appreciated the NBAK platform to encourage and support the local businesspersons.

During the discussion hour, the members deliberated at length on taxation. The members urged the Naga Political Groups to sincerely support the “genuine” Naga businesspersons stating that the present Naga businesspersons are the first generation in the business field.

“Therefore, they (NPGs) should encourage the upcoming Naga businessmen for the prosperity of the Naga society,” the members said, according to a release received here.

The members expressed alarm that many business establishments though owned and run by the non Nagas are registered in Naga name

because of which even the State government is losing the revenue. Therefore, such trend must be discouraged and abolished, the members stated.

The meeting also strongly voiced against the motive of the Kohima Municipal Council in issuing “illegal tender permits” to some individuals.

Maintaining that the practice is leading to the market price of essential commodities being monopolized, the members urged the KMC to sincerely look into all the illegal permits. The meeting also welcomed any genuine Naga businessperson for membership in the association on condition that it should be owned only by the genuine Naga people. The meeting was chaired

by NBAK secretary, Atou Kapfo. The moderator of the discussion was NBAK vice president, Nitoshe Sheqi, while vote of thanks was pronounced

by NBAK joint secretary, Jean Metha.

MoN, AUGUST 14 (MExN): The Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) has condemned the “inhuman act” of Vanthungo Lotha, who allegedly tried to kill his two children on August 7 in Mon. KNSK also recounted acts of bravery of three persons in rescuing the children.

A press release from KNSK President, Lomei and Assistant General Secretary, C. Angip narrated that the accused, a Nagaland Police personnel posted in Mon, married a Konyak woman but she passed away in 2015 leaving behind two children – a 6-year-old boy and 3-yearold girl.

On August 7 around 1:30 am, KNSK alleged that Vanthugo tried to kill his two children by strangling them. The children were rescued by their sitter, Mansha (13 years old), it said. However, according to the release, the accused again tried to kill his children with a machete which struck his son on the neck. After the babysitter raised an alarm, the son was saved by his uncle, Yoknei (18 years old), who lives next door with his younger brother Shangpon (16 years old), the release added. Shangpon ran to the police station and reported the incident. The police arrived and took the severely injured boy to the hospital and the accused was immediately arrested, it was stated.

The KNSK has appealed to the authority concerned to take strong action against the accused.

NCD presses for booking assailants

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14 (MExN): Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has condemned the “dastardly act” of assailants who attacked Lotha Hoho Dimapur General Secretary and Lotha Colony Council Chairman, Renathung Ezung on August 8 at Circular Road, Dimapur.

Taking serious note of the incident, NCD in a press release issued by its General Secretary, Thsapongkyu Sangtam pressed upon the law enforcing agencies to react positively by booking those responsible and award befitting punishment as per the law. NCD also raised concern over vehicles without any number plate or with fake number plates becoming one of the leading causes of crimes in Dimapur. While lauding Dimapur Police Anti Vehicle Theft Squad (AVTS) for seizing number of vehicles that are stolen, with fake registration or tampered engine details etc, NCD urged the law enforcing agency to start a crackdown against unregistered vehicles and take strict measures against the “anti-social elements” using suspicious vehicles.

As India gears up to celebrate its 70th anniversary of Independence Day on August 15, there are several issues and challenges from which she still needs to get independence. Rampant poverty remains one of the foremost. On the eve of Independence, a mother holding her infant with another in tow are seen scavenging and collecting scrap metal and plastic to sell in Dimapur on August 14. (Morung Photo)

MonDAY 15•08•2016

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

3

6,900 km gas pipelines to connect 10 freedom fighters from Bangladesh, Myanmar and India NE to be honoured by Centre AgArtAlA, August 14 (IANs): The government has ambitious plan to lay 6,900 km of gas pipelines linking Bangladesh, Myanmar, most north-eastern states, and West Bengal, ONGC Executive director S.C. Soni said here.

"As part of Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North-eastern region, 6,900 km pipelines would be laid connecting Sitwe (Myanmar), Chittagong (Bangladesh), most north-eastern states, Siliguri and Durgapur," Soni told reporters on Saturday.

Currently, large quantities of gas is flared (burned) in the northeastern region because it can't be piped to the consumers, he said.

"The policy related to sale of gas from small and isolated gas fields is more inclined to the seller side. So, ONGC and Oil India Ltd are not able to sell the gas, which is flared now."

The plan is to carry the gas elsewhere for productive purposes, Soni said.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) signed an agreement in April this year to jointly set up a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal plant in Chittagong port city which will help pipe gas to the north-eastern states.

There is also a sale-purchase

agreement between Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) in Assam and BPC for construction of a pipeline from Siliguri in West Bengal to Parbatipur in Bangladesh for supply of High Speed Diesel (HSD) to the neighbouring country, Soni said.

This agreement figured in talks in June last year between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The two leaders directed the officials of their countries to finalise the terms for establishment of a joint venture company which will construct and operate the pipeline.

The first high-level meeting was held in Guwahati last week and the second meeting would be held in Agartala later this year to finalise the laying of pipeline between Bangladesh, Myanmar, north-eastern states, and West Bengal to carry gas, LPG and HSD, he said.

Thirteen routes with a total length of about 6,900 km of pipelines have been proposed for the purpose.

The Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 envisions doubling the production of oil and natural gas in the northeast and promoting trade between the region and the neighbouring SAARC countries, Soni said.

ONGC Board has approved

a plan to invest Rs 5,050 crore by 2022 to explore more gas in Tripura, he said.

"Under this plan, new wells would be drilled and additional surface facilities would be created to increase gas production from 5.1 million standard cubic metres per day (MSCMD) to at least 6.25 MSCMD from Tripura gas fields," he said.

ONGC has so far discovered 11 gas fields in the state, seven of which are on production, said Soni, who is also the asset manager of ONGC Tripura.

Under the investment plan to produce and supply 6.25 MSCMD to various consumers, including production of electricity, for another 15 to 20 years, at least 153 wells are to be drilled, he said.

"To enhance gas production, processing and supply capabilities, the GCS (Gas Collection Centre) in Sonamura, Gojalia and Konaban would be upgraded and around 900 km gas pipelines would be laid."

The ONGC Tripura asset was carrying out its drilling activities with three owned rigs under operation and well servicing operations through two work-over rigs, he said.

Additional four to five rigs

110 cadres surrender in M'laya's Garo hills

turA, August 14 (ANI): A total of 110 cadres of different outfits who surrendered in Meghalaya's Garo hills in the past three months were welcomed in a rousing home-coming ceremony at Tura's district auditorium yesterday.

A total of 60 cadres of United A'chik Liberation Army (UALA), which was disbanded in July last were, were also present at the ceremony. Meghalaya's Garo hills has witnessed bloodbath in the past three years with over 120 people, including security forces, killed in different ambush, operations and terror strikes.

Since December last year, the situation has changed for good with most cadres of the

dreaded rebel outfit Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and UALA coming forward for peace. Though GNLA is yet to come for talks, but the outfit's strength has been reduced.

The Meghalaya Police is optimistic about its operation 'Hillstorm 3', which has yielded outcome. The cops are hopeful that they would be able to contain insurgency in Garo hills.

The homecoming ceremony sends a positive signal that the region is ready to forgive the insurgents, who had unleashed terror in the past.

Speaking at the homecoming ceremony, noted educationist Dr Milton M. Sangma recollected the violent era of insurgency activities in Garo

hills, which has posed several challenges for the society and have jeopardized developed for the last 30 years.

He urged the rebels to abjure violence and come forward to lead a peaceful life for the welfare and development of Garo hills.

"Staying in jungle will not bring about change for Garo hills. I urge the rebels to come forward and aid the government to restore peace and normalcy in the region. Garo hills can't afford to see bloodbath anymore," he said at the homecoming ceremony, which was spearheaded by Garo Hills Peace Forum, a conglomeration of church leaders, NGOs and civil society members.

would be hired to intensify the exploration activities.

Tripura gas fields and pipeline locations are in very challenging locations requiring forest clearance and special effort for timely construction, he said.

ONGC has so far drilled in Tripura about 209 wells more than half of which are gas-bearing, Soni said.

The company has also commissioned its first commercial power project in India, located in southern Tripura and run by ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC).

It's a 726 MW gas-based combined cycle power project (using both water and natural gas), located at Palatana, 60 km from here.

"Electricity is being supplied to seven of the eight North-eastern states from the Palatana power project. Also 100 MW of power is being supplied to Bangladesh since March," Soni said.

ONGC has also planned to set up a Rs 5,000 crore fertiliser plant in Tripura in association with the state government and Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd. "We will drill at least 12 gas wells in northern Tripura to feed gas to the proposed fertiliser plant," Soni added.

New DelhI, August 14 (PtI): Ten freedom fighters from the Northeast will be honoured by the central government as part of the 70th Independence Day celebrations. It is part of NDA government's plans for visits by Union ministers to the birth places of 'forgotten heroes' and sites of freedom struggle to honour the bravehearts.

Kanaklata Baruah, 17, was shot dead by the Britishers at Gohpur in Assam's present-day Biswanath district while going to hoist the national flag at a local police station. On the same day, about 150 km away at Barhampur in state's Nagaon district, Bhogeswari Phukanani, a 57-yearold mother of eight, was killed for the same reason by the British Police.

Naga spiritual and political leader from Manipur Rani Gaidinliu will also be honoured as part of the "forgotten heroes" programme. Ranima, as she was popularly and affectionately called, led a movement against the British colonialism in 1930s and the struggle soon turned into a battle to uproot British from Manipur and Nagaland.

Another freedom struggle hero of Assam, who will be honoured, is Kushal Konwar. He was hanged by the Britishers for derailment of a military train at Sarupathar in Golghat district in 1942.

Arunachal Pradesh's freedom fighter Moje Riba will be honoured as he was the first person to hoist the tricolour at Dipa village in Arunachal Pradesh on August 15, 1947.

OFFICE OF THE KOHIMA CHUCHUYIMLANG SENSO TELONGJEM KOHIMA; NAGALAND

CONDEMNATION

The Kohima Chuchuyimlang Senso Union vehemently condemns the barbaric act of rape of one minor girl on 11.08.2016 by one Meyikumzuk Jamir, son of Washitemjen Jamir of Chuchuyimlang Village. Such heinous offence has no place in our society and must not be tolerated. At this juncture, we join hands with the Khiamniungan Union Kohima in condemning the monstrous act in the highest order. We will never endorse or support such inhumane act at any point of time, We therefore appeal and have strong faith in the law enforcement agency and the judiciary to award befitting punishment to the person who has committed such a crime. In addition, the accused shall be liable for further appropriate action from our Union.

Besides we deeply share the pain and anguish with the victim, her family and the Khiamniungan community. It is sincerely appealed that this heinous act committed by one unscrupulous person shall in no way hamper our good immemorial relationship with the Khiamniungan community.

President KCST

North east Briefs

Anthrax outbreak in Kaziranga, seven wild buffaloes dead

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Government of India

guwAhAtI, August 14 (AgeNcIes): At least seven wild buffaloes were found dead in the famous Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Sunday following the outbreak of deadly anthrax, a media report said. According to CNNNews18, Kaziranga park authorities today confirmed the outbreak of the deadly bacterial infection among animals in Kaziranga following floods that hit the state recently.

DSP killed in gun battle in Arunachal Pradesh ItANAgAr, August 14 (PtI): A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and a civilian were killed in an exchange of fire between police and anti-socials near Chayangtajo in East Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh, a police officer said on Sunday. The incident occurred when DSP Bomto Kamdak was leading a police team to the area to arrest an alleged rapist Togyung Yangfo, who escaped from jail a year ago, at around 7 PM on Saturday night. On seeing the approaching police team, Yangfo and his accomplices fired prompting the police to retaliate and in the gun battle the DSP and a civilian Sai Bagang were killed while a woman identified as Achang Cheda Yangfo sustained bullet injuries, the police officer said. The body of the DSP was brought to district hospital at Seppa, while the woman with three bullet injuries in her chest was airlifted to Guwahati, he said.

Nigerian held at Agartala airport for illegal entry AgArtAlA, August 14 (the hINDu): Security agencies on Sunday detained a Nigerian youth at Agartala airport a day after he illegally entered Tripura from Bangladesh. The detention occurred within three days of arrest of a man from Congo on Bangladesh side of Tripura border. Police identified the Nigerian as Thaiok Nowabo. He was trying to travel to Kolkata with fake documents. Nowabo is currently held at the Airport police station. He would be produced before court on Monday.

Border Guards, Bangladesh (BGB) recently captured Badila Sidmin Sanselvig from a location along border with Tripura. The man from Congo entered Bangladesh from Sonamura in west Tripura.

Senior police officer to investigate Kalikho Pul's death ItANAgAr, August 14 (PtI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has directed that a senior police officer not below the rank of an IGP will head the investigation into the alleged suicide of former state CM Kalikho Pul. Khandu said this during a high-level meeting with Chief Secretary Shakuntala Doley Gamlin, DGP S Nithianandam and Principal Secretary (Home) Satya Gopal to review the law and order situation of the state capital yesterday, a communique from the Chief Minister's office said today. Khandu also asked the police to expedite the investigation into Pul's death and complete it within the shortest possible time. However, an IGP was yet to be named to head the investigation. Pul, a rebel Congress MLA, who had become Chief Minister of the state on February 19 amid political drama that had begun in December last year, ceased to hold the office following a Supreme Court judgement of July 13.

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Riba was arrested by British Police for participating in the Independence struggle and distributing pamphlets during the Quit India Movement.

Assam's first Chief Minister Gopinath Bordoloi will be honoured as it was due to his continuous fight that Assam remained with India after he foiled the design of Muslim League to include the Hindudominated state into East Pakistan during "grouping" scheme.

Tirot Sing, one of the chiefs of the Khasi people in the early 18th century will also be honoured.

Sing fought against British attempts to take over control of the Khasi hills. He died on July 17, 1835 under house arrest in Dhaka.

Shoorvir Pasaltha Khuangchera, the first Mizo leader to fight Britishers in 1890, will also be honoured. As the British invaded Lushai hills (Mizoram), Shoorvir died fighting them.

Matmur Jamoh was a freedom fighter from Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh who will be honoured. Jamoh had killed a British assistant political officer Noel Williamson in 1911 as he did not like the British interference of people's day-to-day life while his followers killed another British officer Gregeorson. Jamoh was soon arrested and sent to Cellular jail in Andaman where he died in obscurity.

Freedom fighter from Assam's Dimasa tribals Sambhudan Phonglo will also be honoured for his contribution during country's freedom struggle.

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MondAY 15•08•2016

business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

‘Vegetatabe rates may soar as production season ends’ New Delhi, August 14 (iANs): Prices of vegetables in India's retail markets are likely to go up further in the coming months with the peak production season coming to an end, industry chamber Assocham said on Sunday on the basis of a study it has conducted.

The report said there would be "more pressure on the market arrivals of vegetables as production season eases", on the basis of a "most worrying" trend that saw vegetable prices rising up to 100 per cent in the April-July period due to low arrivals of the harvest in the markets.

"There is a huge gap between retail and wholesale price of vegetables. On an all-India average basis, retailers are selling at more than 52.7 per cent of wholesale prices," Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India Secretary General D.S. Rawat said in a statement here.

At the retail level, potato prices increased by about 100 per cent during the April-July period, over the corresponding period of

A villager buys vegetables at a shop in the village of Sisauli in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on July 8. (REUTERS)

2015, followed by cabbage (49.3 per cent), chillies (47.8 per cent), garlic (37 per cent), cauliflower (33.9 per cent), tomato local (26 per cent), tomato hybrid (25.6 per cent), potato fresh (25 per cent), okra (22.3 per cent), and brinjal (20.8 per cent).

"It indicates a worrying situation where market arrivals of vegetables have recorded contraction despite being a peak season for production," the report said.

The gap between wholesale and retail prices is as much as over 75 per cent in some cases like brinjal, or eggplant, and over 62 per cent for tomatoes, it added.

In terms of locational gaps, it is extremely high by as much as over 80 per cent in places like Mumbai, Delhi and Patna, while in several other cities it is well over 50 per cent, the report said.

Lack of basic infrastruc-

ture puts further strain in the arrival of vegetables which results in more wastage during the peak production period because producers have to sell immediately.

"Therefore, there is a need of building cold storage facilities in production centres. Government should improve infrastructure facility by encouraging PPP (public-private partnership) initiative for the development of cold storage.

"Also there is need to develop infrastructure that could be directly accessible to the farmers and bridge the gap between fields and markets," the report said.

Meanwhile, India's annual retail inflation for July shot up beyond the 6 per cent level mainly on higher prices for food articles like pulses and vegetables official data showed on Friday.

The retail inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the Central Statistics Office (CSO), rose to its highest level in 23-months from 5.77 per cent in June and 3.69 per cent in the like period of last year.

The annual retail inflation for rural India was 6.66 per cent, while that for the urban centres was 5.39 per cent.

The galloping annual food inflation reached 8.35 per cent for the whole of India, 8.25 per cent in rural areas and 8.80 per cent in the urban conclaves. Among the food items, the annual rise was 27.53 per cent for pulses and 14.06 per cent for vegetables.

RBI may not be able to meet BSNL offers free unlimited calls on I- Day now available on BSNL Delhi, August customers. inflation target: IMF paper New "This service will be landline network like call 14 (Pti): Customers of state-

New Delhi, August 14 (Pti): An IMF paper has raised question marks over the ability of RBI to target inflation through monetary measures, saying the size of formal financial sector is small in India and may undermine the effectiveness of interest rate changes on aggregate demand.

The IMF working paper assumes significance as the Reserve Bank of India has recently implemented an inflation-targeting regime that requires it to hit publicly announced targets for retail inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Under the new dispensation, RBI will be required to meet retail inflation target of 4 per cent, plus or minus 2 per cent over the next 5 years. The interest rate from next policy, due on October 4, will be decided by a sixmember monetary policy committee (MPC) instead of the central bank governor.

"In the absence of effective and reliable links between the policy instru-

ments controlled by the RBI and aggregate demand in the Indian economy the public may lack confidence that the RBI is able to deliver on its announced inflation target, making the target more difficult (and costly) to achieve," said the IMF working paper - 'Monetary Transmission in Developing Countries: Evidence from India'.

It said that careful studies of the effectiveness of monetary transmission in low-income countries have often found monetary policy effects that are counterintuitive, weak, and/or unreliable.

According to the paper, in case of India, the response of the exchange rate to monetary policy shocks is in the right direction but the magnitude is very small.

The paper noted that there is no reason to expect that mechanisms of monetary transmission in lowincome countries would be similar to those that have been found to operate in high-income ones.

available for all BSNL landline customers besides existing free calling scheme during night.

For new customers we are now providing fixed line connection for monthly rental starting Rs 49 for first six months and thereafter consumer can shift plan of his/her choice. The lowest monthly rental is Rs 99," BSNL CMD Anupam Shrivastava said.

The free calling service is available for all BSNL customers without any charge.

"These new schemes will let people experience modern facilities that are

runBSNLwillbeabletomake free unlimited calls on any network tomorrow also.

"BSNL...customers will be able to make unlimited free voice calling from BSNL landline to any network mobile and landline in the country on August 15, and thereafter every Sunday," Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said in a statement.

At present, it offers unlimited night calling on any network in the country between 9 pm to 7 am as complimentary service for all its customers.

BSNL commands around 57 per cent market share with 14.35 million

leisure

forward to mobile phones etc," Shrivastava said.

BSNL free calling scheme aims at encouraging people use landline phone when they are at home and save on mobile phone bills, a BSNL official said.

"The fixed line phones will be instrumental in proliferation of good quality broadband service which is an essential element of Digital India. BSNL free calling scheme will pave way for expansion of broadband services in the country as well through fixed line connection," the official said.

the lapse, a significant chunk were suspended by DGCA -- an action which also indicated several instances of repeat violations.

Generally, first time violators are given warnings. The next time they are caught, the DGCA directs airlines to de- roster them from flying duty for a specific time period while repeat offenders are suspended. The enforcement action depends on the severity of violations.

The break-up available till June end show that DGCA took action against 169 airline crew members, of whom 110 were suspended, 28 “off-rostered” and 31 let off with warnings. The official said the count of violators has seen a spurt since then and from July till August 12, 101 airline crew members were found violating various safety rules.

According to DGCA data, 44 crew members, including pilots, of Jet Airways faced enforcement actions this year till June end, followed by IndiGo (25), Air India (22), Spicejet (15), GoAir (8), Vistara (4) and AirAsia (2).

On August 11, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told informed Parliament that DGCA acted against 63 pilots of SpiceJet for operating flights beyond their stipulateddutyhours.In2014, there were 391 enforcement actions by the DGCA.

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The Finance Ministry has now constituted a five-member committee comprising senior officials of the Ministry and the national transporter to work out the modalities for the merger.

New Delhi, August 14 (Pti): The 92-year-old practice of presenting a separate Rail Budget is set to come to an end from the next fiscal, with the Finance Ministry accepting Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s proposal to merge it with the General Budget.

According to railways, The Finance Ministry has nowconstitutedafive-member committee comprising seniorofficialsoftheMinistry and the national transporter to work out the modalities for the merger. The committee has been asked to submit its report by August 31.

“I had written to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

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for merger of the Rail Budget with General Budget.

This will be in the Railway’s interest and also in the nation’s interest. We are working out the modalities,” Prabhu told PTI. The public sector behemoth has to bear an additional burden of about Rs 40,000 crore on account of implementation of the 7th Pay Commission awards, besides an annual outgo of Rs 32,000 crore on subsidies.

Besides, the delay in completion of projects resulted in cost overrun of Rs 1.07 lakh crore and huge throw-forward of Rs 1.86 lakh crore in respect of 442 ongoing rail projects.

If the merger happens, Indian Railway will get rid of the annual dividend it has to pay for gross budgetary support from the government every year.

According to a senior Railway official, the move to discard the age-old practice of a separate Rail Budget is part of the Modi government’s reform agenda.

With the merger, the

issue of raising passenger fares, an unpopular decision, will be the Finance Minister’s call.

Prabhu had also told Rajya Sabha on August 9 that he has asked the Finance Minister to merge the Railway Budget with General Budget in the longterm interest of national transporter as well as the country’s economy.

All-India Railwaymen’s Federation General Secretary Gopal Mishra said Railway Ministry’s autonomy will be lost in the merger. “But we have to see in what form the merger will happen,” he said.

The merger move is significant as it is expected to have political implications.

It has been seen that almost every Railway Minister, particularly in coalition governments, has addressed his constituencies by doling out favours by way of new trains and projects.

The keenly sought after Railway Ministry is likely to lose much of its sheen if merger happens

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270 airline crew violated safety norms this year New Delhi, August 14 (Pti): As many as 270 airline crew members, mostly pilots, were found violating safety norms this year by regulator DGCA which suspended over 150 of them, raising serious concerns about aviation safety.

The number paints an alarming picture as there was a total of 275 “enforcement actions” by DGCA last year, compared 270 such actions being initiated in less than eight months this year.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had earlier this week suspended flying licenses of two pilots of Air India and Jet Airways for four years as they were found to be drunk soon after operating international flights. It had also directed the airlines to register FIRs against them.

Violation of safety requirements such as being drunk while operating a flight can also attract imprisonment. One cabin crew member each from the two carriers have also been suspended for the same violation for one year.

As per latest data available with DGCA, there were safety violations involving around 270 airline crew members this year till August 12 and the number stood at 169 at the end of June. Most of them were pilots, flight commanders and first officers.

Taking serious note of

No Railway Budget from next financial year, Arun Jaitley accepts Suresh Prabhu’s proposal

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MondAY 15•08•2016

NAGALAND

NSF commemorates Naga Independence BJP Wokha Mandals to boycott party activities Morung Express News Kohima | August 14

The Naga Students’ Federation commemorated the 70th Naga Independence Day at the Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima on August 14 with Neingulo Krome, Secretary General, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) as the Speaker.

“Our tribalism is above nationalism! That is the tragedy. The elders of the Naga society, the so called pioneers and champions have left this tragedy to the younger generation,” lamented Neingulo Krome during the commemoration who apologized to the youngsters present for passing on a legacy of tribalism. Unless Nagas overcome this problem, the society will continue to deteriorate even if Nagas get independence, or is given a seat in the UN assembly, he asserted.

The commemoration was attended by wellwishers and students from Modern College, St. Joseph’s College and Kohima College.

Enlightening the young students on the first beginnings of the concept of Naga nationalism till date, with rare insights, Krome urged the young students

Participants at the NSF's commemoration of the 70th Naga Independence Day at the Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima on Sunday.

to be well equipped with the history of the Nagas.

The first assertion of Naga nation is 98 years old, viewed Krome which began with the Nagas being sent to Europe as Labor Corps in during WWI and the formation of Naga Club in 1918. However, it was 70 years ago that the Naga nation started in a more formalized and organized manner.

“During the past seventy years we have undergone all kinds of experiences, turbulences, glory, and achievements. Today after so many rounds of talks, the Framework Agreement has come. What are we supposed to do with the Framework Agreement

because the oppositions are stronger than even before?” said Krome.

While oppositions are hell bent to defy any kinds of agreement, Krome also viewed that the Naga public are also united with each individual having certain leanings from one group to another, or from one tribe to another.

In order to tackle the challenges that will come with the Framework Agreement, Krome urged the younger generation to be equipped with ‘the correct history of our struggle’, to know who has contributed to the struggle and who has not.

While there are many who claim to have done

so many things without actually contributing to the struggle, there are also people who remain silent despite their tremendous contributions. Understanding the fact of our history and standing for what is right at the right time, is the current need pointed out Krome, because there has been many occasions where Nagas have failed to do or say the right thing at the prompt time.

“But if the young generation, that is you, who are equipped with all kinds of knowledge with information technology at your finger tips, I think Nagas have a bright future. However, if the younger generation, like you and especially NSF

as a student body, if you are not able to make interventions when challenges come, the Naga society is bound to be doomed,” asserted Krome.

NSF should mentally be prepared if some kind of intervention comes even this year, affirmed Krome and further questioned if the civil population is ready to take control of the situation as has recently happened in Turkey and elsewhere.

“As we celebrate this 70th Independence Day, let us not forget that there are 70 more independence days to be celebrated where we can celebrate in real jubilation. Let us try to make some happiness for ourselves and for the younger generation,” concluded Krome.

For 70 long years, we have raised our flags without enjoying the blessings of sovereignty, said Dr. Bohotoli Achumi, Secy. Edn & Communication, NBCC, who prayed that God will make the Naga nation great one day, even though it may be small at the moment.

NSF President Subenthung Kithan in his Presidential address, highlighted in brief, the history of the Naga political struggle and the reason Nagas celebrate Naga Independence day on August 14.

Wokha, august 14 (MExN): Three Mandals of the BJP Wokha unit – the 37th Tiyi, 39th Sanis and 40th Bhandari Mandas – have stated that they will be boycotting all party activities of Wokha District and the office inaugural function.

This was a re-affirmation of August 2 meeting held in at Tourist Logde, Wokha where the three

units along with District executives resolved to boycott among others the Party Office inaugural programme to be held on August 19.

The three constituencies will not co-operate any issue till the case is settled as per the Party Constitution, the three units stated in a press release.

The 37th, 39th and 40th Mandals of Wokha District appealed to the Nagaland

State Unit President and State Office bearers to immediately solve the ongoing issue of BJP Wokha unit at the earliest as requested by the.

The three Mandals further stated that they “unanimously resolved and reaffirmed” full support to President James Patton, “who was elected by the majority of the Mandals” on November 15, 2015.

Students asked to broaden their horizon DiMapur, august 14 (MExN): The North East Institute of Social Science and Research (NEISSR) celebrated its 3rd Freshers’ Day on August 12 under the theme “Together towards tomorrow” with Prof. Lanunungsang Ao, Former Pro-vice Chancellor, Nagaland University as Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest stressed on the importance of believing in oneself and preparing for better tomorrow.

He encouraged the students to look beyond the horizon of Social Work and broaden their perspective to alter the scenario of the society.

“Students should not be governed or guided by small mindsets. Social workers are needed in every field’ be it administration, law

enforcement, financial sector, teaching etc.,” a press release mentioned Prof. Lanunungsang as saying.

Dr. Fr. C.P. Anto, the Principal, welcomed the forty fresh MSW students from different North East states and asked them to be more humane in their approach to transform the society. “Before becoming professional social workers, we all need to become fully human being and then we are able to feel the pulse of the poor and the needy in our society. It is important for anyone to become a part of the society and be one with the common people to experience change,” the release mentioned Fr. Anto as saying.

He also asked the students to become action oriented in their approach

rather than just talkers. “The need of the hour is individuals who are action oriented and put their words into actions,” Fr. Anto added.

The first Master of Social Work Institute under Nagaland University, NEISSR specializes in Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies (first institute in India), Youth Development, and Community Development.

Rev Dr. Shiwoto Assumi, Senior Pastor, NCRC invoked the blessing of God for the gathering. Rev. Fr. Chacko, Rector, Good Shepherd Seminary, and Dr. Mathew John, Director, Shalom Rehabilitaion Centre, also motivated the students to start dreaming and start acting for a better society and to make the dreams into reality.

DUCCF condemns

Yimchunger Nagas in traditional finery during the recent Medumneo festival at Chessore village under Tuensang district. Morung Photo/Chizokho Vero

DiMapur, august 14 (MExN):Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) today vehemently condemned the alleged assault on one of its executive member and Council Chairman of Lotha Colony, Renathung Ezung, on August 8 at Circular Road by some miscreants.

“Assaulting an elderly responsible public leader without any rhyme or reason in a civilised society is shocking and such a deplorable act must be condemned by all. Such unruly behaviour is a threat to the peace and tranquillity of our society,” a condemnation note from the DUCCF Media Cell stated.

DUCCF urged the law enforcing agency to thoroughly investigate the matter and book the culprits at the earliest.

Governor of Nagaland & Assam PB Acharya interacts with new Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group, Devendra Kumar Pathak (IPS Retd) when the latter gave a courtesy call on the Governor at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday.

CondolenCe Messages

Travel Advisory tuENsaNg, august 14 (MExN): The Executive Engineer PWD (NH) Division-III, Tuensang has informed all commuters that the bridge located at 32.750km between Chare and Mokokchung on NH-202(155 Old) has been washed away.

Therefore, commuters are advised to travel via the following route till the road is restored: Longsa – Suruhoto – Yangli; Mokochung – Longmesa – Alisophur – Throngar (Only Light Vehicles); and Mokokchung – Chuchuyimpang – Chare.

4th Bn NNC celebrate Naga Independence Day Wokha, august 14 (MExN): The 4th Battalion NNC-NNA Lotha Region celebrated the 60th Naga Independence Day at the residence of Brigadier M. Kithan, Wokha Town, with Commandant 4th Bn, Chichamo Humtsoe, unfurling the Naga National Flag. According to a press release, Brig Kithan spoke during the programme and harped on Naga unity and further urged all patriots to dedicate their service for the nation.

Peren Police recover stolen vehicles pErEN, august 14 (MExN): Peren Police have recovered two stolen vehicles and handed them over to the rightful owners after observing all necessary legal formalities, according to a press release from Superintendent of Police, Peren. The release informed that based on reliable information, two stolen Boleros were intercepted at Mhainamtsi inter-district check gate. One of the vehicles bearing registration number NL-07-6372, which was reportedly stolen from Khatkhati on August 11, 2016, was seized at the gate. However, the second Bolero with registration number NL-07-8670 tried to escape; it was intercepted and seized after a high speed chase towards Heningkunglwa, the release said. One suspect has been arrested in this connection and further investigation is in progress, it was added.

Chakhesang Hoho Kohima: The Chakhesang Hoho Kohima (CHK) has expressed deepest condolence at the demise of Zhonyi Rhi of Zhavame village, Phek district, who passed away on August 13 at Kohima.

Son of Sova Rhi, late Zhonyi was born in the year 1957 and had served as the VCC Zhavame village, President RPO, Vice President Phek DCCI, Joint Secretary Chakhesang Public Organisation, Vice Chairman New Minister’s Hill colony (2003-2004), Vice President Chakhesang Hoho Kohima (2009-20012) and President Chakhesang Hoho Kohima (2012-2014).

“In this moment of loss, the Hoho share its deepest

grief and pain. And in his demise, the community has lost a true son of the soil, who has sacrificed all his time for the cause and upliftment of the people and the community,” a condolence message from the CHK stated.

Conveying sincere condolences to the bereaved family, the Hoho prayed that the Almighty grant them strength to recuperate from the loss. It also prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace. deo nukhu: Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu, has expressed shock and deep sadness at the sudden and untimely demise of Zhonyi Rhi.

In a condolence message, Nukhu recollected his close association and stated that late Rhi, during his lifetime, “tirelessly and selflessly” rendered his service towards the welfare of the people and society.

“The society has lost a fine and a responsible leader and the vacuum created by his demise can never be filled,” Nukhu’s messages read. Although he has passed on, his valuable deeds and contributions will continue to inspire and ever remain in their memories, it added.

Extending sincere condolences and prayers to the bereaved family, Nukhu prayed that God will grant comfort and solace to the bereaved family.

rd 23 Annual Social of Immanuel College held Legal Aid Clinic opens at District Jail, Phek DiMapur, tional English, a great deaugust 14

phEk, august 14 (MExN): To protect the rights of prisoners and provide free legal assistance to them, a Legal Aid Clinic has been set up within the premises of District Jail, Phek. It was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner of Phek, Murohu Chotso on August 13.

Through the Legal Aid Clinic, the Phek District Legal Services Authorities (PDLSA) will provide prompt and efficient legal aid to the prisoners lodged in the District Jail, informed a press release.

Deputy Commissioner Murohu Chotso urged the inmates of the jail to avail the legal services and facilities provided through the Legal Aid Clinic. He further encouraged the inmates to freely approach the Panel Lawyers, Judges of the District Court, Para Legal Volunteers on Legal issues and grievances for seeking legal assistance and advice.

Civil Judge (Jr.), Phek and Secretary of the PDLSA, Ajong Imchen, speaking at

the inaugural programme, apprised the jail inmates on the “Rights of Prisoners”.

The jail inmates were well informed about their rights and privileges, the release said. Free legal aid and assistance, Protection against arbitrary or illegal detention in custody, Protection against conviction or enhanced punishment under ex-past facto law, Right to be produced before a Magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest, Right to fair and speedy investigation and trial, Right to appeal in case of conviction, Right to be released on bail, if arrested are some of the rights entitled to a prisoner, Imchen highlighted.

Longshi Ezung, District & Session Judge, Phek and Chairman of the PDLSA spoke on the benefit and functioning of the Legal Aid Clinic.

Ezung pointed to the lack of awareness of constitutional rights and stated that the district level LSAs will ensure that prisoners (accused, Under Trial Pris-

oners & convicts) avail free legal assistance.

Deputy Superintendent of Jail, Solezole Neikha stated that the Legal Aid Clinic along with the support of the District Legal Services Authorities will protect the rights of a prisoner and resolve their complaints and grievances.

The Legal Aid clinic will not only extend legal service to the inmates of the jail; the relatives and visitors of the jail will also be provided assistance and advice.

Kudukhovi Chakesang was appointed as the Para Legal Volunteer to man the Legal Aid Clinic and coordinate with the jail officials to ascertain the legal service needs of the inmates.

As a Para Legal Volunteer, he will also inform the jail authorities and District Legal Services Authorities about the grievances and legal needs of the jail inmates.

Kudukhovi was selected as PLV for his good behavior while serving as a convict in the District Jail.

(MExN): Immanuel College Dimapur celebrated its 23rd Annual Socialcum-Cultural Day with pomp and gaiety at the college premise on August 12.

The first formal session was held under the theme “Perfect Blend of Dynamism” with Director of Higher Education, I Alempokba as Chief Guest and Alobo Naga as Guest artist.

Exhorting the students, Principal Th. Saratchandra Singh quoted Benjamin Franklin’s, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” and advised to be always prepared to face life’s challenges.

Touching on the theme, “Perfect Blend of Dynamism,” he urged, “Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect.”

Complimenting on the big progress on the students’ enrolment, the Chief Guest I Alempokba in his speech said it was indeed a good story of success, a

Mr and Miss Immanuel College 2016

pleasant growth.

By the virtue of good infrastructure and good location, the college in no time can emerged to be an excellent institution for learning, he opined.

Viewing that the outlook, attitude and expectations are rapidly changing, the Chief Guest urged the students not to dwell in past but progress with dynamism. Conceptualise new dreams and ideals and do not get limited by your academic performance, he added.

He urged the college to introduce courses in func-

mand in recent times especially in South East Asia, as well as skill development.

Guest Artist Alobo Naga, who enthralled the gathering with some lively numbers, urged the student to go beyond the usual routine of life and think out of the box. Explore your passion with dedication and hard work and you will succeed in life, he said.

The second session was the cultural programme held under the theme “Cultivating Cultural Identity of Oneness” saw various presentations from the students including songs, speeches, dances, talent show, comedy and theatrical presentation.

The highlight of the session was the crowning of the Mr. And Miss Fresher’s 2016. After a tough preliminary as well as questioning round, Wangpen and Veshepulo, both BA 1st Semester, were crowned Mr and Miss Immanuel College 2016 respectively.

Meetings & AppointMents Governor, CM to grace IRCSN ceremonial function Nagaland’s Governor PB Acharya and Chief Minister TR Zeliang will grace the ceremonial function of the 30th annual general meeting of Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland State Branch (IRCSN) on August 18, 11am at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Kohima. Acharya and Zeliang, who are also president and vice president respectively of IRCSN will deliver presidential and vice presidential address respectively. Decoration of patrons and vice patrons will be done by Governor of Nagaland. IRCSN chairperson Abeni TCK will preside over the function.

Leo Club to celebrate Janmashtami Leo Club of Dimapur is celebrating Janmashtami on August 25 at the Lions Club premises in Midland, Dimapur from 5:30 pm. The event will include fancy dress competition for the age group of 1 to 6 years and 7 to 12. There will also be a dance competition under the theme 'Radha and Krishna' and 'Matki Phod' contest.

Registration form will be available at Lions Club Midland. For more information, contact: 9862765244/ 9774975054/ 9774037003.

Ex Parliamentarians meeting There will be a meeting of all Ex-Parliamentarians of Nagaland on August 20 in the Zonal Council Hall, Kohima, near Old Assembly Hall at 11am to discuss some important issues pertaining to the welfare of the members. All Ex-Parliamentarians of Nagaland are requested to bring suggestions and make it convenient to attend the said meeting.

PDNCSU general meeting The Phek District, Nagaland Contractors & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) will hold its general meeting on August 25 at GA Rest House Conference Hall, Phek town. In this regard, a press release from the union has requested all the bona fide members to attend the meeting.

The union also requested the members to update their membership ID cards for validation in Head Office of NCSU, Nagaland, Kohima. The office bearers of PDNCSU have also been requested to reach Phek town on August 24 by 11am.

Kohima Development Committee The Deputy Commissioner, Kohima Rovilatuo Mor IAS has informed that the Kohima District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee meeting will be held on August 18 at 11am in the DC’s Conference Hall, Kohima under the chairmanship of MP (Lok Sabha), Neiphiu Rio. The meeting will review performance report of various schemes under the Ministry of Rural Development. In this connection, the members/Departments have been instructed to present their performance, status, progress reports on respective CSS flagship programmes in the meeting. All the members have also been requested to attend the meeting positively.

(DIPR)

6

Monday 15•08•2016

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 224 By moa Jamir

Women reservation in Nagaland

A right step in right direction

I

n 1969, Nagaland had two women candidates in the State Assembly election: Ravole as a candidate for erstwhile United Front of Nagaland from Western Angami Constituency and RL Kinghen as an Independent from Bhandari.

Thereafter, 12 more women have contested in Assembly elections intermittently in the 53 years of Statehood, the highest being in the 2008, when 4 women candidates were in the fray.

In 1977, Rano M. Shaiza successfully contested the Lok Sabha elections on a United Democratic Front ticket becoming the first and only woman from Nagaland to get elected either in a state or union election.

One thing, however, is apparent. Apart from 1969, all women candidates contested either as an independent or on a national party ticket which either had little or no significant presence and not from any mainstream State Party.

Thus, they were either destined to lose or fielded as a token and most forfeited their security deposit in the elections.

In a nutshell, representation and platform for women to participate was impossible due to prevailing societal and institutional mechanism.

At the same time, if we look at the electors over the years, the share of women voters was bigger in most elections.

Against this backdrop, the recent decision of the Nagaland Government to conduct elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 by granting 33 percent women reservation is a much-needed course correction.

The decision to this effect was taken during a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister TR Zeliang said at a state level function recently.

While the decision was taken after years of legal recourse, which the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) took after the Nagaland State Assembly on September 22 rejected the 33% reservation of seats for women (Part IX (A) of the Constitution of India) on the ground that it infringed upon the Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India, after opposition from leading male-centric apex organisations.

Consequently, the Supreme Court in April this year has directed the State Government to conduct elections to local bodies with the implementation of 33% reservation for women.

There is a rationality of having women reservation, this column has argued recently (see. Reservation is pertinent; rationality dictates so, The Morung Express, March 9, 2016).

Predictably, the Naga Hoho, the apex body of the Nagas, was the first to register a protest, saying it was still “pre-mature to introduce 33% reservation in Naga society.” It also resolved to advocate women empowerment by creating various opportunities, it added. Other may follow suit.

However, beyond an obsession with anti-reservation quotas, the leading social organisations has not been able to engender a platform and mechansim to address the lack of women in decision-making or policy making. There are exceptions, but rarely a norm.

In a predominantly patriarchal society, institutional setup as well as polity, is still entrenched in a worldview where women’s role are consciously and subconsciously assigned to the private sphere, not in the public realm.

Unless this mindset is completely obliterated, reservation is pertinent. It is a constitutive necessity and State’s policy is imperative to allow the women to participate positively in the evolution of the society.

It is needed to correct the social barriers that have prevented women from participating in politics and compensate for the historical discrimination.

The reservation for the women must not also be seen as a charitable grant to a weaker section, but rather an impetus and a step toward creating a level-playing field in policy and decision making.

However, the reservation must not be the end in itself. If the process is hijacked by tokenism and politics based on the old dispensation, it will be self-defeating and opportunity wasted.

A drive towards genuine egalitarian society can be achieved only when all sections of the society are genuinely empowered equally to participate and exist cohesively within its ambit.

The women reservation is a crucial step towards this end.

For any comment, drop a line to moajamir@live.com

lEfT wiNg |

Chris Arsenault Thomson Reuters Foundation

Brazil land conflicts simmer with 23 killings so far in 2016: watchdog

M

ore than 20 land rights activists have been killed in Brazil so far this year, with most deaths linked to conflicts over logging and agribusiness, data on Thursday showed, reinforcing the country's reputation for being dangerous for environmentalists.

According to data from local watchdog, the Pastoral Land Commision (CPT), 23 activists have been killed in 2016 for trying to protect forests from illegal logging and the expansion of cattle ranches and soy plantations. Fifty land rights campaigners were killed in Brazil last year, up from 29 in 2014, according to the UK-based advocacy group Global Witness.

Released a day before the opening of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the data indicates a crackdown on land rights campaigners in South America's biggest country with indigenous people particularly affected, activists said. "For many visitors to the Rio Olympics, Brazil is synonymous with its vast, plentiful rainforests and traditional ways of life," said Global Witness campaigner Billy Kyte in a statement. "Yet the people who are trying to protect those things are being killed off at an unprecedented rate."

Elizeu Lopes, a leader from the Guarani-Kaiowa indigenous group, said members of the community were being attacked by land owners and militias. "Our people are losing our blood for plantations of sugar and soy. Our leaders are being persecuted," Lopes told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The Guarani-Kaiowa have been among the hardest hit communities from recent escalations in land-related violence, said Cleber Cesar Buzatto, a researcher with the Conselho Indigenista Missionario (CIMI) advocacy group.

Matto Grosso do Sul state, home to Lopes and other GuaraniKaiowa people, has become the biggest site of clashes over land nationally, Buzatto told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The agricultural powerhouse on Brazil's border with Paraguay has seen at least 30 assaults on land rights activists since January, Buzatto said.

In June, dozens of armed men riding motorcycles attacked a Guarani-Kaiowa camp killing one indigenous campaigner and wounding six others, government officials said at the time. The recent escalation of violence is linked to Brazil's broader political crisis, indigenous leaders say.

In a bid to kick-start growth in the recession-hit country, Brazil's interim government is planning to open up more indigenous areas to farming and resource extraction, Lopes and Buzatto said. Nearly one third of territories demarcated for Brazil's indigenous people have faced invasions from illegal loggers or farmers, Buzatto said. Brazil's National Indigenous Foundation (FUNAI), the government body responsible for

C O M M E N T A R Y

Vandana Shiva CommonDreams

Free PeoPle From ‘DictatorshiP’ oF the 0.01%

“T

he only way to counter globalisation—just a plot of land in some central place, keep it covered in grass, let there be a single tree, even a wild tree.”

This is how dear friend and eminent writer Mahasweta Devi, who passed away on July 28, at the age of 90, quietly laid out her imagination for freedom in our times of corporate globalisation in one of her last talks.

Our freedoms, she reminds us, are with grass and trees, with wildness and self-organisation (swaraj), when the dominant economic systems would tear down every tree and round up the last blade of grass.

From the days we jointly wrote about the madness of covering our beautiful biodiverse Hindustan with monocultures of eucalyptus plantations, which were creating green deserts, to the work we did together on the impact of globalisation on women, Mahaswetadi remained the voice of the earth, of the marginalised and criminalised communities.

She could see with her poetic imagination how globalisation, based on free trade agreements (FTAs), written by and for corporations, was taking away the freedoms of people and all beings. “Free trade” is not just about how we trade. It is about how we live and whether we live. It is about how we think and whether we think. In the last two decades, our economies, our production and consumption patterns, our chances of survival and the emergence of a very small group of parasitic billionaires, have all been shaped by the rules of deregulation in the WTO agreements.

In 1994, in Marrakesh, Morocco, we signed the GATT agreements which led to the creation of WTO in 1995. The WTO agreements are written by corporations for corporations, to expand their control on resources, production, markets and trade, establish monopolies and destroy both economic and political democracy.

Monsanto wrote the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement of WTO — which is an attempt to claim seeds as Monsanto’s invention, and own seeds as “intellectual property” through patents. It has only one aim — to own and control seed and make super-profits through the collection of royalties. We have seen the consequences of this illegitimate corporate-defined “property” right in India; with extortion of “royalties” for genetically modified (GMO) seeds leading to high seed prices.

Cargill, Inc wrote the WTO’s agreement on agriculture. As a result, India, the largest producer of oilseeds and pulses, has become the biggest importer of both these produce. The edible oils being imported are GMO soya oil and palm oil — both extracted with hexane through solvent extraction; both leading to massive deforestation in Argentina, Indonesia and Brazil. We are importing dal from Canada and Mozambique, while our fertile pulse growing lands are being handed over to foreign corporations for growing bio fuel. This model destroys agriculture and food systems everywhere. We are thus destroying our health as well as the health of the planet.

The junk food industry wrote the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) agreement of WTO. Our Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 was replaced with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which is being used to shut India’s rich and diverse, small-scale, home and cottage industry-based food businesses, under pseudo-safety laws.

All new FTAs take away the sui generis option in TRIPS in WTO and are aimed at giving fangs to International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), which establishes rules of uniformity, at a time when we know that diversity is vital to nutrition as well as climate resilience.

Twelve countries, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Viet-

I

nternational Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, observed every year on August 9, the anniversary of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1994. It is a good time to reflect on achievements and challenges Indigenous Peoples around the world still face. One pertinent issue is the legal security of land and natural resource rights. How well do national laws protect the interests of these historically marginalized communities?

To better assess and monitor the issue, LandMark: The Global Platform of Indigenous and Community Lands is building a comprehensive database that scores countries on 10 indicators of how their national laws protect these rights. With the addition of 31 new countries to the inventory this week, LandMark now has 113 countries in the database, showing which countries and regions of the world have a solid foundation to protect indigenous and community land rights, and which countries are lagging behind. On this day celebrating the world’s Indigenous Peoples, here are two main findings from this evaluation: Countries in Latin America and Africa have the strongest laws protecting indigenous land rights, while the Middle East lags behind Of the 11 countries with the highest average scores across all 10 indicators, six are in Latin America (Bolivia, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Venezuela), four are in Africa

Resistance must be more than blockades and protest.

nam, signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership FTA in February 2016. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is an FTA between the Asean nations and their six trading partners — India, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Since Asean countries are the most populous, RCEP will affect a greater number of people than other FTAs. And through RCEP, these countries may be dragged into the TPP under pressure of harmonisation, especially on issues related to seed.

The TPP requires all its signatories to join UPOV 91. It allows patents on “inventions derived from plants” which would open the floodgates of biopiracy, as in the case of neem, basmati and wheat.

The TPP has sections on “biologicals” which covers biological processes and products, thus undoing the exclusions in the WTO TRIPS agreement. Given how there is a rush to patent and impose untested and hazardous vaccines, and new GMO technologies like gene editing and gene drives, it is clear that the TPP is the instrument for the next stage of bio-imperialism.

At WTO, India managed to ensure countries could exclude plants and animals from patentability, which translated into article 3(j) in our patent laws. India ensured that UPOV could not be forced through WTO and countries had a sui generis option for plant varieties. This translated into the Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001, for which the writer was a member of the expert drafting group.

Not having achieved total monopoly on seeds through the WTO, chemical corporations (biotechnology and seed corporations) are trying to impose patents on all living organisms and all production systems based on living organisms through new FTAs. They are also trying to further destroy our local food systems and replace them with industrial junk food by changing food and health safety as well as bio-safety, through “harmonisation”.

Finally, global corporations, and those who control them, are trying to define corporations as having personhood through investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) systems, which are secret tribunals where corporations and investors can sue governments for acting according to their constitutional obligations in the interest of their citizens.

Thus, corporations are trying to replace our democracies with secret agreements and secret courts controlled by the 0.01 per cent super wealthy. The time is ripe for a planetary freedom movement that defends and protects the freedoms of all beings from this 0.01 per cent.

Dr. Vandana Shiva is a philosopher, environmental activist and eco feminist. She is the founder/director of Navdanya Research Foundation for Science, Technology, and Ecology. She is author of numerous books. Shiva has also served as an adviser to governments in India and abroad as well as NGOs, including the International Forum on Globalization, the Women’s Environment and Development Organization and the Third World Network. She has received numerous awards, including 1993 Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Prize) and the 2010 Sydney Peace Prize.

indigenous land Rights: How far have we come and how far do we have to go?

Katie Reytar, Peter G. Veit and Nicholas Tagliarino World Resources Institute

(Burkina Faso, Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda) and one in Asia (Philippines). These developing countries scored higher than many in the developed world, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Norway, and are more progressive in protecting indigenous land and resource rights.

All seven countries in the Middle East that were evaluated (Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Yemen) received the lowest possible score (4) across all 10 indicators, meaning that their national laws make no attempt to address indigenous land rights. In most cases the government has declared ownership of all land that is not private property, thus excluding communities from rights to communal land. This can be problematic for nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes of the Middle East that rely on seasonal migration to find grazing lands for their livestock. For example, in Jordan, state ownership of unsettled rangelands has led to encroachment and overgrazing because there are no longer incentives

for tribes to protect and sustainably manage their lands.

Many national laws currently fail to ensure that indigenous land is protected from acquisition by governments and outsiders (land grabbing) Few countries have laws that require the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Indigenous Peoples prior to acquisition by governments and outsiders. Of the 113 countries evaluated, only six countries (Colombia, Panama, Peru, Philippines, South Africa and Venezuela) scored a 1, meaning that the national laws require FPIC or other broad consent before acquisition. The global average across all countries scored is 3.2, meaning that the vast majority of countries make limited or no attempt in their laws to incorporate FPIC. But implementation of FPIC in these countries is still far from perfect.

For example, in Peru, despite passing a groundbreaking Indigenous Peoples Consultation Law in 2011, the government has circumvented the law in many

wRiTE-wiNg

cases by narrowing their definition of Indigenous Peoples so as to exclude the vast majority of Peruvian communities who identify themselves as indigenous.

LandMark is currently in the process of developing a new set of national-level indicators due out next year that will evaluate the application and practice of the law, which will show which countries have upheld their laws in practice and which have not.

The 113 countries evaluated in LandMark’s database show that the legal security of Indigenous Peoples’ lands and natural resources varies widely. Fortunately, several recent initiatives call attention to inequalities in the treatment of indigenous and community land rights in national law.

One such initiative, launched in September 2015, is the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Comprised of 17 goals and 169 targets that spell out a blueprint for development for the next 15 years, the SDGs capture several aspects of rights of Indigenous Peoples including health, education and cultural identity as well as land.

Another initiative focused more exclusively on indigenous and community land right is the Global Call to Action, which seeks to double the amount of legally recognized land owned and controlled by Indigenous Peoples and communities by 2020. Thus the international community is looking to national governments to strengthen their laws and guarantee equal rights for Indigenous Peoples. We will be watching to see how they respond.

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.

Monday 15•08•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

7

War on Climate Terror: Deserts The Morung Express universal human rights Bury Two Thirds of African Lands beShould given priority over customary pOll ReSUlTS

law in Nagaland? Why?

Baher Kamal

T

Inter press Service

wo-thirds of the African continent is already desert or dry-lands. But while this vast extension of the second largest continent on Earth after Asia is “vital” for agriculture and food production, nearly three-fourths of it is estimated to be degraded to varying degrees.

This shocking diagnosis illustrating the current situation of this continent of over 30 million km², home to 1,2 billion human beings living in 54 countries, comes from the top world body dealing with desertification.

In fact, in its report “Addressing desertification, land degradation and drought in Africa”, the Bonnbased UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) explains that the continent is affected by frequent and severe droughts, which have been particularly severe in recent years in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel.

“Poverty and difficult socio-economic conditions are widespread, and as a result many people are dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods,” it says.

On this, another UN agency has once more warned, “With only a few weeks before land preparation begins for the next main cropping season, some 23 million people in Southern Africa urgently need support to produce enough food to feed themselves and thus avoid being dependent on humanitarian assistance until mid 2018.”

The Rome-based UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on 28 July alerted against what it called “race against time in drought-ravaged Southern Africa to ensure 23 million people receive farming support.” As little as just 109 million dollars are urgently required for the provision of seeds and other agricultural inputs and services.

FAO reports that its prepared response plan aims to ensure that seeds, fertilisers, tools, and other inputs and services, including livestock support, are provided to smallholder farmers, agro-pastoralists and pastoralists to cope with the devastating impact of an El Niño-induced drought in the region.

“Farmers must be able to plant by October and failure to do so will result in another reduced harvest in March 2017, severely affecting food and nutrition security and livelihoods in the region.”

Desperate Situation Africa’s near, medium-term future looks any thing but bright–by 2020, between 75 and 250 million people in Africa are projected to be exposed to increased water stress due to climate change. Also by 2020, in some African countries, yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50 per cent.

The situation is so dire that the African Union (AU) along with the UNCCD and other partners, have organised the Africa Drought Conference in Windhoek, Namibia.

The conference, which is expected to bring together around 700 participants, on August 15-19 will focus on ways to halt and continue to prevent the rapid advance of the desert in the continent.

Specifically, participants will concentrate their attention on mitigating the impacts of droughts and the development of national drought policies.

This event comes at an opportune time, as East and Southern Africa suffer from the worst recorded drought in the past 50 years, induced by El Niño.

Namibia appears as one of the most appropriate venues for such an event for several reasons, one of them being the fact that it was ranked 51 out of 120 countries by the 2014 Global Hunger Index, which measures the levels of hunger in the world’s countries.

46%

32% 22%

While Namibia has improved, this ranking still indicates “a serious food problem,” says the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Critical water shortages are impacting harvests and the livestock industry in the agricultural sector, which sustains about 70 per cent of the Namibian population.

“Continued episodes of drought threaten to unravel the gains made in poverty alleviation, and thus drought is an issue that needs collective response.” In 2015 drought reduced Namibia’s national crop yields to 46 per cent below the sixteen-year average, and as a result, around 370,316 people are estimated to be vulnerable to Hunger in Namibia, UNDP reports.

Here, the three top UN agencies dealing with food—FAO, the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), informed in their joint World Report on The State of Food Insecurity 2015, that 42.7 per cent of Namibian population was undernourished.

Looking beyond Namibia’s borders, humanitarian and development bodies estimate that over 52 million people are food insecure in East and Southern African Countries, and that number could increase. Alarmingly four of the 15 South African Development Community member states have already declared national drought disaster with 2 additional countries having declared partial emergencies.

Namibian Prime Minister Saara KuugongelwaAmadhila, reminded “Water resources play a defining role in economic development between and across sectors. Investment in water security is not only a matter of protecting society from specific water risks; it is an investment in enabling economic growth.”

This desperate situation pushed FAO to talk about a race against time in drought-ravaged Southern Africa to ensure 23 million people receive farming support. “Widespread crop failure has exacerbated chronic malnutrition in the region.”

With only a few weeks before land preparation begins for the next main cropping season, some 23

million people in Southern Africa urgently need support to produce enough food to feed themYES NO OTHER selves and thus avoid being dependent on humanitarian assistance until mid 2018, FAO on 28 July said.

Some of those who voted YES had this to say: • Yes. Of course universal human rights should be given priority Worst Drought in 35 Years over and above customary law in Nagaland. The term customTwo consecutive seasons of droughts, includary law in Nagaland is an abused term and is being misused ing the worst in 35 years that occurred this year, by a lot of people. This needs to be rectified. No doubt customs have particularly hit vulnerable families in rural arand traditions are important and are the backbone of our Naga eas, as prices of maize and other staple foods have culture, but we must admit that we have moved far away from risen, it added. our forefathers time. We need to retrospect seriously.

“The result is that almost 40 million people in • Yes. In our society, the so-called customary law is infringing and the region are expected to face food insecurity by violating our human rights. So when customary law is degradthe peak of the coming lean season in early 2017. ing our human worth, how can customary law be given priority All countries in Southern Africa are affected.” over human rights.

On this, David Phiri, FAO’s Sub-regional Co- • Human right is the foundation of any democratic society. Withordinator for Southern Africa, warned, “The high out human rights there can be no progress and no peace. levels of unemployment and sluggish economies, • Yes. Human rights have to do with respecting the inherent valmeans that the main way people are able to access ue of each person. To take away that is to dehumanize that food is through what they themselves produce. Asperson and treat him or her as less than what God intended. sisting them to do this will provide lifesaving supWhereas, customary laws aren't necessarily God-given. They port in a region where at least 70 per cent of people are just practices and traditions passed on from one generation rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.” to the next.

Moreover, widespread crop failure has exac- • Absolutely. At any given time human rights must triumph over erbated chronic malnutrition in the region. More customary law. than 640,000 drought-related livestock deaths • Yes. Among the nagas universal humanity is maintaining. If have been reported in Botswana, Swaziland, South customary law is set above the universal human rights there Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe alone due to lack will arise a serious problem of social disorder, customary law of pasture, lack of water and disease outbreaks. be modified to match the universal human rights.

FAO urges investments that equip communities with the ability to produce drought-tolerant Some of those who voted NO had this to say: seed and fodder, along with climate-smart agri- • No. The universal human rights is not complete without customculture technologies like conservation agriculture. ary law. They are two sides of the same coin. They need to be The aim is to enable rural families to build resilread together. The problem in Nagaland is that our customary ience and prepare for future shocks, especially that law needs to be modernised for the present situation. more challenges are still to come.

• No. These are two sides of the same coin. In relation to inter“El Niño’s counter-phenomenon, La Niña, is national affairs, universal human rights will apply. However, in likely to occur later this year and while it could regard to local and indigenous issues, Naga customary law will bring good rains that are positive for agriculture, prevail, although it is imperative to make improved changes measures must be taken to mitigate the risk of without compromising age old values to protect our rights and floods which could destroy standing crops and aspirations. threaten livestock, including making them more • No. The word universal says it because universal human rights vulnerable to disease.” is the principle, whereas customary law is the practical implementation of it.

• Not at all. From international law point of view, the customary law is equally important. Some of the concepts of universal human rights are derived from customary law.

Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say: have to pass by sea through a war zone.

Perhaps most importantly, China might find • Time has changed. We can't relive the past. UHRs is viable in our diversified context, but it should be supplemented by selecitself cut off from vital external energy sources tive customary laws in a view of acknowledging and preserving while Washington’s energy supply chain would our unique culture. be far less affected.

• There's a fine line that differentiate between the two, some While RAND estimates a year-long Asian war hampers the customs and traditional practices... & are not necwould take 5-10 percent off U.S. gross domesessary to be given priority, its just selfish human wants and tic product, it believes China’s economy could doesn't even make it to human rights. shrink by up to 25 percent.

• In a society like ours, we need our customary laws as well as These are good reasons why war should nevthe Human rights. We need a house that'll balance both, not er happen. Even if miscalculations pushed both giving priority to a specific one. Because our customary laws countries to the brink, it’s all but impossible to are as much important as the Human rights and vice-versa. make a logical argument for either side to push The only thing to do is taking both into account and "do the right things over the edge. The danger, therefore, would thing" by law and justice. seem to be primarily ill-conceived actions that • What so sacrosanct about customary law? Is it in tune with might cause a World War One-style escalation. modern values? We need progress not regress. American revIn the case of the United States and China, olution that give birth to bill of rights, french revolution that led RAND’s analysts say they believe nuclear escalato declaration of rights of men. This is how democracies have tion would likely be avoided even if both sides evolved n the universal democratic values n ideals r derived fought prolonged naval and air battles. That’s a from it. We dont need medieval customs n tradition in this 21 major departure in Western military thinking century. from the days of the Cold War, when nuclear es- • This customary law which falls under Art. 371 (a) need to mecalation was seen an almost inevitable conseticulously scrutinize, re-examine according to the relevancy of quence of any direct conventional clash. today's post modern world. To my personal observation. it gave Whether that’s certain is a different question. many social, cultural and economical wellbeing provision yet Wars tend to develop their own horrific interwhile looking at the other side of the coin with respect of naganal logic and momentum, and the temptation to land and its people, their is an irrelevancy in many areas which move to more powerful weapons is ever present. dwarf the social economic growth.

For now, there’s no evidence that Beijing has • In a society like ours where customs and tradition are deepadopted Moscow’s thinking on “de-escalatory ly rooted and it's practices are higly regarded it is a big chalnuclear strikes,” using a single nuclear warhead lenge for our people. The patriarchal or the conservative in an attempt to shock a Western adversary into nature of our people itself has put the society in a coma. standing down and ending the conflict. But it’s But I also say that if it will bring a kind of progress there is possible to imagine that happening. nothing wrong making choices and priorities in this regard.

It’s becoming increasingly important to conMay be our society has also reached a time like Indians sider scenarios like these. It we don’t, the unwere in once upon a time when a dilemma arose among thinkable might quietly – or worse still-- sudthe intellectuals and scholars. Some of them their interest denly and brutally become reality. towards the modernisation and westernisation make them Peter Apps is Reuters global affairs columnist, writing on felt to give up the old customs and practices while some international affairs, globalization, conflict and other issues. who opposed it to revive or reform the old one. Also taking He is founder and executive director of the Project for Study of the 21st Century; PS21, a non-national, non-partisan, nonthe socio-economic rights and status (rights of inheritance ideological think tank in London, New York and Washington. or property rights) of our women into concern we have to Before that, he spent 12 years as a reporter for Reuters make necessary arrangement and make sure that rights covering defense, political risk and emerging markets. Since 2016, he has been a member of the British Army Reserve and are enjoy equally by all. the UK Labour Party.

Here’s how a US-China war could play out Peter Apps

F

Reuters

or all the focus on terrorism, one of the most striking features of the last decade is that the risk of war between the world’s major countries has returned. For the first time since the fall of the Berlin wall, military thinkers in the United States, Europe and Asia are putting serious thought into what such a conflict might look like.

For a world with no shortage of nuclear weapons, that’s alarming. As I wrote last month, there is now not just a credible – if still limited – risk of conflict between Russia and NATO states, but also a real risk any such war would go nuclear.

Last week, U.S.-based think tank RAND Corporation – which also studied the prospects of war in the NATO member Baltic states – unveiled its latest thinking on what a potential clash between the United States and China would look like. The report is not direct U.S. government policy – although RAND has long been regarded as a major generator of thought for the U.S. military – but it does push the envelope further than much that has gone before.

The report stresses that while premeditated war between Washington and Beijing ”is very unlikely,” the mishandling of disputes like the multiple territorial confrontations between China and U.S. allies such as Japan and the Philippines are a “danger” that “cannot be ignored.”

RAND examined two different scenarios, one for an inadvertent conflict taking place in the present day and one in 10 years from now, assuming Beijing’s military and economic buildup continues at roughly its current rate. China will substantially close its military gap with the United States over the next decade, it predicts – but the fundamental dynamics of how things will play out might not be hugely different.

Even now, the People’s Liberation Army is seen as having the ability to give a bloodied nose to U.S. forces in the region. Washington could expect to lose an aircraft carrier and multiple other

surface warships in the opening stages, RAND warns, citing Chinese advances in ballistic and guided missiles as well as submarines.

The report does not estimate the number of human casualties, but they could be substantial.

The loss of an aircraft carrier or several major surface warships could easily cost thousands of lives in an instant.

At the same time, it’s also generally assumed that both Beijing and Washington would have considerable success with cyber attacks.

As another recent report points out, China’s effectiveness would difficult to gauge – not least because it has not participated in a major conflict since invading Vietnam in 1979.

The real decision for Washington would be how much military force to commit to the Asia Pacific theater. Other threats and responsibilities would not have gone away – the Middle East would almost certainly still be a mess and the risk of Russian action in Europe might actually be heightened. Still, the United States would have considerable reserves of aircraft and ships in reserve.

Whether a conflict only endured days or weeks or dragged on for a year or more, Washington would almost certainly retain the ability to strike widely at Chinese targets across the battle space – including, in at least a limited way, into mainland China. Over time, Beijing could face the destruction of most, if not all, of its major surface naval forces. Its relatively primitive submarines would also likely be fairly easy picking, RAND predicts, although that will probably be less true by 2025.

The real battle of attrition, however, would be economic – as it almost always is when great powers confront each other. On that front, the consequences for China could be devastating.

Washington and Beijing are each other’s most significant trading partners. The report estimates that 90 percent of that bilateral trade would cease if the two were in direct military confrontation for a year. That would hurt both sides, but the United States could likely continue trade with much of the rest of the world while almost all imports and exports to China would

8

MonDAY 15•08•2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

President attacks divisive forces, Constitutional subversion New Delhi, August 14 (iANs): President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday denounced "forces of divisiveness and intolerance" as well as attacks on weaker sections, saying they must be dealt with firmly.

In his Independence Day eve address to the nation, the President also came out strongly against groups and individuals who pursue a divisive political agenda that leads to Constitutional subversion.

In his fifth August 14 address, Mukherjee said that in the last four years he saw "with some disquiet, forces of divisiveness and intolerance trying to raise their ugly head.

"Attacks on weaker sections that militate against our national ethos are aberrations that need to be dealt with firmly.

"The collective wisdom of our society and our polity gives me the confidence that such forces will remain marginalized," he added.

India will celebrate its 70th Independence Day on Monday.

Democracy, the President underlined, was not just about elections.

"Disruptions, obstructionism and unmindful pursuit of a divisive political agenda by groups and individuals lead to nothing but institutional travesty and Constitutional subversion," he said.

"Polarizing debates

only deepen the fault lines in public discourse."

The President, however, made no specific reference to the attacks on Dalits, communal tensions or the Kashmir unrest in his speech.

A unique feature of India, he pointed out, was "our respect for each other's cultures, values and beliefs.

"The very essence of plurality lies in cherishing our heterogeneity and valuing our diversity.

"In the network environment of today, a caring society can only be developed by harmonizing religion with modern science," Mukherjee added.

Calling for the promotion of scientific temper, he said: "We often celebrate the achievements of our ancient past but it would be wrong to rest on our laurels.

"It is much more important to look to the future," he said.

Indians, the President said, "must learn to challenge the status quo and refuse to accept inefficiency and slipshod work.

"In a competitive environment, a sense of immediacy and some impatience is a necessary virtue."

Mukherjee said that backed by a strong political will, the country must create a future which would economically empower 600 million youth, build a digital India, a start up India and a skilled India.

Hawk-eye vigil in Delhi, tight security in Kashmir Valley

Policewomen march during the full-dress rehearsal ahead of India's Independence Day celebrations in Chandigarh on August 13. (REUTERS)

"India will grow, only when all of India grows.

The excluded ones will have to be included in the development process. The hurt and alienated have to be brought back into the mainstream."

He said India has had remarkable growth in recent times, often growing above 8 per cent per annum over the last decade.

"We must build on our strengths so that, this lead can be sustained and furthered."

He said a normal monsoon this year gave reason to cheer unlike the past two years when below normal rains led to agrarian distress.

The President emphasized the importance of India's "neighbourbood first policy". South Asia must carve out a common des-

tiny to march together.

Mukherjee denounced a rise in terrorism across the globe, with its roots in radicalization of people on the basis of religion.

"These forces apart from killing innocent people in the name of religion also threaten to disrupt geopolitical divides, which could prove disastrous for world peace.

"The inhuman, mindless and barbaric modus operandi of such groups have been visible in France, Belgium, United States, Nigeria, Kenya and closer home in Afghanistan and Bangladesh recently.

"These forces now pose a danger to the entire comity of nations. The world will have to fight them unconditionally and in one voice."

New Delhi, August 14 (Pti): A hawk-eye vigil is being kept across Delhi as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from 17th century Red Fort on the 70th Independence Day while tight security today remained in force in violence-hit Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure.

Thousands of security personnel have been deployed in and around the historic Mughal fort which will see the presence of senior ministers, top bureaucrats and foreign dignitaries, besides a large audience to hear the Prime Minister.

A multi-layer security has also been thrown around Rajpath where a seven-day-long cultural festival 'Bharat Parv' is underway. The step has been taken as people have been flocking to the area to witness the illumination of North Block, South Block and other government buildings after sunset in the run up to August 15.

Strict security measures were in force in curfewbound Srinagar ahead of the Independence Day celebrations with large contingents of paramilitary and police personnnel being deployed across the city.

Bakhshi Stadium -- the main venue of the Independence Day function in Jammu and Kashmir -- has been turned into a virtual fortress.

"All the roads leading to Bakhshi Stadium have been sealed and heavy deployment of security forces carried out en route to ensure peaceful celebrations tomorrow," a police official said.

He said there were no inputs about the possibility of militant attacks to disrupt the celebrations but the security grid is not taking any chances.

"The usual security drill is being followed but some extra measures have been put in place to ensure no mob violence takes place around the venues in Srinagar or elsewhere in the Valley," the official said.

Due to the ongoing unrest -- that began on July 9 following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, mobile telephony and internet services have already been snapped in the Valley.

In the past, the mobile phone and mobile internet services used to be disabled for few hours during Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations as a precautionary measure.

India rejects Pakistan's note verbale on Kashmir YouTube obliged not to host Now AK-47s can be 'rented' in western UP New Delhi, August already received enough and Kashmir with New August with Nepal. The weapons in Meerut and Baghpat, videos violating law: HC ghAziAbAD, 14 (iANs): India on Sun- of Pakistan's trademark ex- Delhi and that the Pakistani 14 (iANs): Police investi- are smuggled from China is now in Meerut jail. His day rejected a note verbale issued by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad regarding sending essential supplies from Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir.

"I can only characterize its (note verbale) contents as absurd," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Swarup said India and others in the region have

ports of "international terrorism, cross-border infiltrators, weapons, narcotics and fake currency".

"We completely and categorically reject this purported communication from the Pakistan Foreign Ministry," he added.

Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan's foreign policy chief, said on Friday that Islamabad wanted to have an exclusive dialogue on Jammu

Foreign Secretary would write to his Indian counterpart about this.

India responded that it would welcome a dialogue on contemporary and relevant issues only.

India-Pakistan ties have become frosty after largescale violence broke out in Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani on July 8.

886 private TV channels in the country New Delhi, August 14 (Pti): There are 886 private TV channels functioning in the country, while the Information and Broadcasting Ministry cancelled the licences of 149 till July this year, according to official data.

According to I&B Ministry figures as on July 31, the government accorded permission to 1,035 private channels to operate in the

country. It also cancelled the permissions granted to run 149 channels.

The number of Permitted Private Satellite TV Channels in India is 886 of which 399 are news and current affairs channels, as per official data.

There are 768 TV channels which are permitted for uplink from India and also downlink into India. Of these

377 are news channels.

There are 96 TV channels which are permitted to only Downlink into India and are uplinked from aboard. Of these 15 are news channels.

Twenty two TV channels in the country are permitted for uplink from India but not allowed to downlink. Of these 7 are news channels.

Jamia varsity seeks action against police

New Delhi, August 14 (iANs): The Jamia Millia Islamia University authorities on Sunday demanded an action against police personnel who entered the campus premises without permission.

"Taking exception to the plain-clothed police personnel entering Jamia Millia Islamia premises without permission, the authorities

have written to Delhi Police demanding suitable action against them," the university said in a statement.

Scores of students staged a protest and alleged on Saturday evening that some "raids" were conducted by Delhi Police inside the university hostels.

The police officials told the university that it was a "routine check up" ahead of

the Independence Day. "They (police) conducted the raids to harass the students," a protester, who wanted to remain anonymous, told IANS. The students also accused Chief Proctor Mehtab Alam of allowing the police to enter the campus premises. The authorities have appealed to the students to maintain "calm".

Sonia Gandhi discharged, advised rest

New Delhi, August 14 (iANs): Congress President Sonia Gandhi, admitted to the city based Ganga Ram Hospital over several health complications, was discharged on Sunday, said a doctor.

According to D.S.Rana, Chairman of the hospital, Sonia was discharged at

around 7 a.m and has been advised rest and continuation of medicines.

"Sonia Gandhi's medical condition at the time of discharge from the hospital is stable. She has been advised rest and continuation of medicines. She is likely to visit the hospital for further checking of her condition in

the coming week," said Rana.

Sonia was admitted to the Ganga Ram Hospital on August 3, 2016 afternoon with fever, dehydration and shoulder injury, for which she also underwent a surgery. Sonia, who fell ill during a rally at Varanasi, was initially admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital.

Five fold increase in heinous crimes in Delhi

New Delhi, August 14 (Pti): Every day at least 10 people fell victim to heinous crimes like murder, robbery and kidnapping, in the national capital on an average between 2001 and 2015, according to Delhi Police data. The cases of robbery witnessed an increase of almost 12 times during this period, with 624

cases reported in 2001 and 7407 in 2015.

A total of 51,691 cases of heinous crimes were filed in Delhi from 2001 to 2015 which included rape, dacoity, murder, and attempt to murder, robbery, riots and kidnapping for ransom, data show. The number of heinous crimes jumped from 2316 in 2001 to 11,187 in 2015,

a jump of almost five times.

There was an increase of more than three times in the number of non-heinous crimes as well. Nonheinous crimes, including snatching, hurt, burglary, motor vehicle and house theft, fatal and simple accidents and others, increased from 52,068 in 2001 to 1,80,190 in 2015.

New Delhi, August 14 (Pti): Delhi High Court has said that videosharing website YouTube was obliged not to host any content which violates the laws currently in force.

The ruling came on a plea by Tata Sky seeking removal of videos from YouTube on how to crack the encryption of set top boxes of the company. "In terms of Rule 3(1)(e) of the Information Technology Intermediaries Guidelines, YouTube is obliged not to host content that violates any law for the time being in force," Justice S Muralidhar said.

The court also said that in cases where YouTube would be required to act immediately, it should not insist upon the complainant to demonstrate that the complaint falls in the categories identified by it for taking action. The court had earlier, on August 27 last year, passed an interim order directing the video-sharing website to remove the content objected to by Tata Sky. YouTube, on August 10 this year, submitted it has complied with the direction

of the court and has removed the URLs of the videos.

It told the court that had Tata Sky not been unclear about the kind of violation that had taken place, YouTube may have acted even more promptly.

Tata Sky had contended that under the ITIG Rules the website was obliged to act with promptitude once it was clear that the offending videos were illegal.

The court observed that in the instant case, the video sharing website's review team appeared to have "got into a bind about correctly categorising" the complaint "instead of actually taking a call on whether the nature of the content required taking down".

"If it (YouTube) had focused on the latter aspect the need for Tata Sky to have approached this court for relief could have been avoided," the court said.

Since YouTube had removed the offending URLs and also submitted that in future it will act immediately when it receives such complaints, the court disposed of Tata Sky's plea.

gation into the attempted assassination of a BJP leader has revealed that AK-47 assault rifles -- or similar weapons -- are available for hire in Uttar Pradesh.

The problem is clearly more acute in western Uttar Pradesh, a traditional crime belt bordering Delhi.

Police officers probing the attack on Bharatiya Janata Party leader Brijpal Teotia say criminal gangs in the region are also into "sub-contracted killings" -- in a bid to derail investigations.

"A rough estimate is that over a dozen gangs possess weapons like AK-47s," one officer said. These gangs include those led by the notorious Anil Dujana, Sushil Moonchh, Sunder Bhati, Dharmendra Kirthal, Udham Karnawal, Yogesh Bhadora and Mukeem Kala.

They are said to possess more than one assault rifle and other automatic weapons. When needed, the gangs buy or rent more.

The modern weapons these gangs possess are easily available along Uttar Pradesh's porous border

via Nepal.

"All these gangs are now under police radar to ensure that they lose their weapons," the officer told IANS. The cost of hiring an AK-47 is Rs 2 to 3 lakh. If the weapon is lost, the deposit is forfeited.

If the weapon is returned, a "rent" of Rs 50,000-60,000 is deducted per weapon.

The weapons are also available for outright purchase, revealed another police source.

At times, two gangs get together to carry out a hit, police sources say. A "supari contract" -- to kill a target -- is occasionally sub-contracted.

"New entrants are hired on daily wages," a source said, explaining how the killer gangs operate.

Dujana, whose crime history includes over three dozen cases of extortion, loot and contract killing, operates from Banda jail.

His operational area is Noida and Greater Noida.

Bhati, who is on bail, is active in Loni area. He faces over 35 cases of killing and robbery.

Kirthal, who operates

specialised field is contract killing and robbery.

Karnawal is another criminal from Meerut who is notorious for contract killing. He has 40 cases of murder and robbery. He too is now jailed in Meerut.

Bhadora, accused of extortion and contract killing, is also lodged in Meerut jail. He has over 55 criminal cases registered in Meerut, Baghpat and Ghaziabad districts.

Kala operates in Muzaffarnagar, Bijnore and Shamli. He is caught up in over 60 criminal cases of extortion and contract killing.

Moonchh, out on bail, lives in his village in Muzaffarnagar and is known to enjoy political patronage.

Teotia, 54, was seriously injured when AK-47 wielding assailants fired at his vehicle off National Highway-58 last week.

Police put the number of attackers at four and said they also used 9 mm pistols. Teotia survived the attack but was injured, as were his guards. He is still in hospital.

Only 33,000? Atheists cannot believe the census count

New Delhi, August 14 (iANs): There's a new minority to contend with and, at a little over 33,000, they are fewer in number than the Parsis. But the unbelieving atheists -- counted separately for the first time in Census 2011 -- just cannot agree with the figure.

To be precise, only 33,304 of India's 1.2 billion citizens have declared themselves as atheists in the census -- a minuscule 0.0027 per cent.

In an overtly and fervently religious country, this low figure may not come as a surprise, but atheists are simply not buying it. They accuse the powers that be of everything from "dishonesty" to "unscientific" methodology -- all aimed at "mischievously" skewing the data.

"There are millions of people in India who don't subscribe to any caste or religion. They call themselves atheists, rationalists or non-religious people," says G. Vijayam, Executive Director of the Atheist Centre in Vijayawada.

"When you say there are only a few thousand atheists, it's a distortion of re-

ality," Vijayam told IANS. "This is mischief done by orthodox people and the Census authorities, and it must be corrected."

As far as Prabir Ghosh of the Science and Rationalists' Association of India is concerned, the very reason for the skewed numbers are these "orthodox people" who dominate those tasked with conducting the census -- the enumerators.

And he speaks from experience. When the enumerator who visited his house failed to ask him his religion, Ghosh questioned him, "What have you written in the religion column? He replied, 'Why... Hindu. You are a Hindu, aren't you? You have a Hindu surname'."

"I protested and told him to write 'atheist' against my name. He got cut up, and said that it would involve a lot of rewriting. I took the paper from him, and crossed out the word 'Hindu' from the column," Ghosh told IANS. "In India, the Census is not conducted scientifically or honestly," added Ghosh, who was born in a god-fearing Bengali family but took to rationalism as

an adult. He is now General Secretary of his Kolkatabased association.

There are quibbles as well over the numbers at the state level. The Census data, for instance, puts the number of atheists in Tamil Nadu -- a state with a strong rationalist tradition -- at a mere 1,297, a figure that "does not reflect the actual position", according to Suba Veerapandian, General Secretary of the Dravida Iyyakka Tamizhar Peravai.

"Our organisation itself has around 2,000 members. Moreover, we have the Dravida Kazhagam, the mother organisation for all the rationalist movements in Tamil Nadu, having a large membership," said Veerapandian, who was influenced by his father Subbiah, a staunch follower of Periyar.

A good number of active atheists believe the low numbers may be a result of lack of awareness about what can and cannot be said in the Census form.

"Many Indians are not aware that they have an option to say 'no caste' or 'no religion'," says Vijay-

am, whose father founded the Atheist Centre that has fought many battles on behalf of those who wrote 'nil' in caste and religion columns of various government forms.

Veerapandian concurs, but adds that it is up to atheists and rationalists to power change -- the matter hardly being a priority for the government. "It should be made known to people, and organisations like ours will have to do that before the 2021 Census."

In fact, many atheists and rationalists want the government to entirely remove the caste and religion columns from not only the Census forms, but all forms.

"We are a secular state and there is no necessity to write caste and religion.

When people say we don't have property, you are accepting that. Similarly, accept when they say they don't belong to any caste or religion," says Vijayam.

Are atheists playing it safe by not declaring themselves openly? It is a legitimate question as three prominent rationalists -- Narendra Dabhol-

kar, Govind Pansare and M.M. Kalburgi -- have been killed in the last two years for challenging obscurantism, allegedly by religious hotheads.

But Ghosh and Veerapandian dismiss the idea.

"Why should they try to hide their belief? Even in a Muslim area, Hindus announce their religion, and vice versa. So why should atheists be afraid," Ghosh queried.

Given that there are nearly 2.9 million people who did not tell enumerators their religion -- though they did not declare themselves as atheists -- there may well be many more atheists than the declared number.

In any case, the non-believers are upbeat. Ghosh, for instance, contends 22 per cent of the world population is now atheist, and that the number is growing. He believes the trend will be replicated in India as well.

Adds Vijayam: "Atheism has come to stay. It's a worldwide phenomenon and when opportunity comes they all will come out of religion."

MonDAY 15•08•2016

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

9

Undermining China: towns sink after mines close HELIN, August 14 (REutERs): Deep in the coal heartlands of northern Shanxi province, people in Helin village are fighting a losing battle as the ground beneath them crumbles: patching up cracks, rebuilding walls and filling in sinkholes caused by decades of coal mining.

Around 100 pits in Helin - buried in the hilly rural outskirts of the city of Xiaoyi - have been exhausted, and cluttered hamlets totter precariously on the brittle slopes of mines.

But while local authorities have begun evacuating hundreds of thousands of residents most at risk elsewhere in Shanxi province, Helin's situation – though serious - isn't yet considered a priority.

"We haven't been told to leave yet, but when the government gives us the order, we'll be happy to go," said Wang Junqi, who lives in a one-room tenement with his family. "It isn't safe here and the people who have a bit of money have already gone. It's scary, but what can we do?"

Mines that burrowed under villages and towns during China's three-decade coal boom have left the authorities with the need to evacuate hundreds of communities in danger

of sinking.

Shanxi province alone plans to move 655,000 residents by the end of next year from unsafe old mining regions, with the cost of relocation estimated at 15.8 billion yuan ($2.37 billion).

The Shanxi government estimates coal mining has cost the province 77 billion yuan in "environmental economic losses".

GEOLOGICAL DISASTERS Mine-induced subsidence is not unique to China, but its problems dwarf those of other countries.

A notice board at a deserted Communist Party building in an abandoned village not far from Helin gives an idea of the scale of the disaster.

It lists 19 geological "disaster zones" spread across 23 villages, 55 landslides, 950 cracks in the ground and 808 incidents of mine subsidence -- all in an area of just 13.25 square kilometres (5 sq miles) According to official data, coal mining had already caused as many 26,000 geological disasters by the end of 2014, and as much as 10,000 square kilometres of land has been affected, an area the size of Gambia in Africa, according to some estimates.

Tree trunks and rocks are set up to support a leaning wall of Li Yonghua's damaged cave house in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine, in Helin village of Xiaoyi, China's Shanxi province, August 2, 2016. (REUTERS)

China's land ministry said last month it would spend 75 billion yuan ($11.27 billion) over the next five years to restore mined land and treat mining waste nationwide.

The growing environmental bill comes at a time when China's stricken coal sector faces mounting debts, falling demand and a longterm decline in prices after

the boom turned into a bust. around 1,000 collieries this year alone, many of them BOON TO BURDEN in residential areas such as The coal sector, as with Helin, as it cuts coal's share other basic industries in of total energy consumpChina such as steel, is now tion to 62 percent by 2020. saddled with overcapacDuring the boom years, ity estimated at around as prices and profits soared, 2 billion tonnes a year, miners were encouraged to as demand growth slows dig further and deeper, enand the country promotes croaching upon residential cleaner forms of energy. areas and farmland.

China planned to close While large state-run

firms would often relocate entire villages, smaller private miners, chasing quick profits, simply dug under and around communities. With mining tax revenues surging, local governments were reluctant to impose stricter controls on the industry.

The industry helped pay for construction binges like one in Xiaoyi, where Helin is located, topping up

local government tax coffers and bestowing the city centre with rows of largely unoccupied luxury apartment blocks.

What was once a boon for governments has now turned into a burden: Xiaoyi has already spent more than 6 billion yuan ($901.31 million) to treat subsidence, the government said. Together with the neighbouring city of Luliang, it plans to relocate as many as 230,000 people over 2014-2017.

Little of the money to move communities and restore the land is coming from the miners themselves, although that was supposed to be the plan in the beginning.

Miners are required to pay "subsidence fees" to pay for the cleanup when their mines close. The Datong Coal Industry Group <601001.SS>, the only state miner to give breakdowns, paid just 1.4 million yuan in those fees from January to March this year, or 0.04 percent of its total costs, according to its quarterly report.

SOLAR SOLUTIONS Jiang Jian, a legislator from Shandong province, said Beijing needed to draw up detailed measures to determine how much mining firms should pay.

Many of the worst-hit sites have been long abandoned, making it harder to decide who is responsible, she noted, so Beijing also needed to set up dedicated funds to help pay remediation costs, including treatment and disposal of mine waste.

To help with the cleanup, China is encouraging developers to turn abandoned mining sites into wind and solar power projects. Solar accounted for just 0.6 percent of China’s overall electricity generation from January to June, and wind was a mere 3.6 percent.

One solar demonstration project has been completed in the eastern outskirts of Datong, also in Shanxi, on ground damaged from mining and not suitable for farming.

The area was once a prosperous coal region with more than 1,000 mines, but extraction stopped after the collapse in prices, and the local economy cratered.

"Before we got here this piece of land wasn't suitable for any kind of planting, but now at least some of it can be used," said He Xin, project manager with the United Photovoltaics Group, which owns and operates a 100-megawatt solar farm at the site.

Trump rails against press in On 90 birthday, Fidel Castro thanks well- response to reports of chaos wishers, makes rare public appearance th

HAVANA, August 14 (REutERs): Fidel Castro made a rare public appearance on Saturday at his 90th birthday gala, after the leader of the 1959 revolution thanked fellow Cubans for their well wishes and lambasted his old foe the United States in a column carried by state-run media.

Cuba went into overdrive this month honoring the retired "El Comandante," who built a Communist-run state on the doorstep of the United States, surviving what it says were hundreds of assassination attempts along the way.

Thousands danced to Latin beats along Havana's curving seafront Malecon boulevard throughout the night from Friday to Saturday. At the giant street party, a live band played "Happy Birthday" on the stroke of midnight and fireworks exploded on the other side of the bay.

The iconic leftist revolutionary, who handed

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro (C), Cuba's President Raul Castro (L) and Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro attend a gala for Fidel Castro's 90th birthday at the Karl Marx theatre in Havana, Cuba, August 13. (REUTERS)

over power in 2008 to his younger brother Raul due to ill health, appeared later in the day for a birthday gala featuring children's theater, live music and videos from his life.

Seated in the front row of the Karl Marx theater, he was flanked by Raul and regional ally Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Increasingly frail, Castro had last made an official appearance at the Communist Party Congress in April.

"I want to express my most profound gratitude for the shows of respect, the greetings and gifts I have received the days, which give me the strength to reciprocate through ideas," Castro wrote in the opinion piece.

Castro went on to reminisce about his youth on the family plantation in the eastern village of Biran, in particular about his father who died before the revolution.

"He suffered quite a bit," Castro wrote. "Of his

three male children, the second and third were absent and distant, both fulfilling their duty in revolutionary activities."

Even then, Fidel wrote, he knew Raul should replace him if anything should happen to him, in particular if the United States succeeded in its attempts to kill him.

"I almost laughed about the Machiavellian plans of the U.S. presidents," he wrote.

True to form, Castro went on to blast Barack Obama, this time for the U.S. president's speech in May when he visited Hiroshima, site of the world's first atomic bombing at the end of World War Two. "He lacked the words to ask for forgiveness for the killings of hundreds of thousands of people," Castro wrote. In his last opinion piece, in March, the "Historic Leader" accused Obama of sweet-talking the Cuban people during his visit to the island - the first by a U.S. leader in 88

years - and of ignoring the accomplishments of Communist rule.

Many Cubans feel Fidel is no longer in step with the times. Raul's most broadly feted accomplishment since taking power has been implementing a detente with the United States after a half century of confrontation.

Considered more pragmatic, the younger Castro also introduced marketstyle reforms to the statedominated economy and increased personal freedoms, such as the right to travel abroad. Fidel has lent these policies only lukewarm support in public.

Many Cubans still revere Fidel for freeing Cuba from U.S. domination and introducing universal, free healthcare and education.

"Fidel is the best thing that happened to our country," said Aldo Zamora, 40, selling candy-colored balloon animals at the street party along the Malecon, as a tropical electric storm lit up the night sky.

FAIRFIELD, August 14 (REutERs): U.S. Republican Donald Trump on Saturday repeated his attack on President Barack Obama that he helped "found" Islamic State and railed against media reports that his campaign is failing, at a campaign rally in Connecticut, a state where he has a long-shot of being victorious.

Speaking for more than an hour in a sweltering room, Trump spent a significant portion of his speech complaining about the media.

He again threatened to revoke the press credentials of The New York Times. The credentials allow reporters access to press-only areas of his campaign events. He has already banned other outlets, including The Washington Post.

On Saturday, the New York newspaper published an article detailing failed efforts to make Trump focus his campaign on the general election.

"These are the most dishonest people," Trump

said. "Maybe we'll start thinking about taking their press credentials away from them."

Trump visiting Connecticut, a heavily Democratic state, raised eyebrows among many Republicans.

"It's asinine that he would be in Connecticut holding a public rally less than 90 days before the election," said Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak.

"You don't see Hillary publicly campaigning in Idaho and Mississippi. I have to think this proves the candidate is running the campaign, which explains why it's such a disaster of biblical proportions."

At several points the crowd chanted "lock her up," a frequent campaign rally chant in reference to Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Trump told the crowd that normally he responds by saying he intends instead to defeat her in the Nov. 8 election, but this time added, "You know what? You have a point!"

Trump also dropped his recent efforts to say he was not being serious when he said Obama was the "founder" of the Islamic State militant group .

"It's the opinion of myself and a lot of people that he was the founder," Trump told the crowd.

Democrats and Republicans alike have criticized Trump's assertion as patently false.

Trump took a detour from attacking Clinton's economic record to discuss the 1998 scandal involving White House intern Monica Lewinsky and former President Bill Clinton, whom Republicans attempted to impeach.

"Remember when he said, he did not have sex with that woman, and a couple of weeks later, oh you got me," Trump said, to cheers. He then made reference to a blue dress that became a symbol in the investigation. "I'm so glad they kept that dress, so glad they kept that dress, because it shows what the hell they are."

Muslim cleric and associate shot Thai police find more unexploded bombs following coordinated blasts to death on New York street NEW YORK, August 14 (REutERs): A Muslim cleric and an associate were fatally shot by a lone gunman on Saturday while walking together following afternoon prayers at a mosque in the New York City borough of Queens, authorities said.

The gunman approached the men from behind and shot both in the head at close range at about 1:50 p.m. EDT (1750 GMT) on a blistering hot afternoon in the Ozone Park neighborhood, police said in a statement, adding that no arrests had been made.

The motive for the shooting was not immediately known and no evidence has been uncovered that the two men were targeted because of their faith, said Tiffany Phillips, a spokeswoman for the New York City Police Department. Even so, police were not ruling out any possibility, she added.

The victims, identified as Imam Maulama Akonjee, 55, and Thara Uddin, 64, were both wearing religious garb at the time of shooting, police said. Police had initially identified Uddin as

Tharam.

The men were transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where they died, hospital spokesman Andrew Rubin said.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group known by the acronym CAIR, said Uddin was an associate of the imam.

"These were two very beloved people," Afaf Nasher, executive director of the New York chapter of CAIR, told Reuters. "These were community leaders.

"There is a deep sense of mourning and an overwhelming cry for justice to be served," Nasher said.

The organization held a news conference on Saturday evening in front of the mosque, the Al-Furqan Jame Masjid, where the two men had prayed.

"We are calling for all people, of all faiths, to rally with compassion and with a sense of vigilance so that justice can be served," Nasher said. “You can’t go up to a person and shoot them in the head and not be motivated by hatred.”

The suspect was seen by witnesses fleeing the scene

with a gun in his hand, police said.

"We are currently conducting an extensive canvass of the area for video and additional witnesses," Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner said in a statement.

Eric Phillips, a press secretary for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, said the mayor was closely monitoring the police investigation into the shootings.

"While it is too early to tell what led to these murders, it is certain that the NYPD will stop at nothing to ensure justice is served,” Phillips said in a statement.

Akonjee was described as a peaceful man who was beloved within Ozone Park's large Muslim community.

"He would not hurt a fly," his nephew Rahi Majid, 26, told the New York Daily News. "You would watch him come down the street and watch the peace he brings."

Video footage posted on YouTube showed dozens of men gathered near the site of the shooting, with one of them telling the crowd that it appeared to be a hate crime, even as police said the motive was still unknown.

BANgKOK, August 14 (REutERs): Thai police over the weekend found and defused five explosive devices that had failed to detonate when an as yet unidentified group carried out a series of deadly bomb attacks on popular tourist spots late last week.

Police said they had arrested one suspect following the bomb and arson attacks on Thursday and Friday that killed four people and wounded dozens more in some of Thailand's best-known southern resorts and islands.

The attacks came just days after Thais voted to accept a military-backed constitution that the ruling junta, which seized power in 2014, has said will lead to an election by the end next year.

"These acts were undertaken by a group in many areas simultaneously, following orders from one individual," Pongsapat Pongcharoen, a deputy national police chief, told reporters on Sunday, without elaborating.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Analysts say suspicion would inevitably fall on enemies of the ruling junta aggrieved by the referendum

The movements of other suspects were being monitored, he added.

Police raise their hands as they check the scene after two bomb blasts in the southern province of Surat Thani, Thailand in this still image from video August 12. (REUTERS)

results, or insurgents from Muslim-majority provinces in the south of the mostly Buddhist country.

Two incendiary devices in mobile telephone power packs were found in a market in the upscale resort of Hua Hin on Sunday, the interior ministry said in a statement. A bomb disposal team defused both, and local police said the devices had been there since Wednesday.

The resort was the scene of the most devastating of the wave of bombs when a blast ripped through an alley in a bar area on Thursday evening. There were two more blasts in the town

less than 12 hours later.

Another fire bomb was found on the island of Phuket on Sunday and defused, local police said. It had been set to detonate at 3 a.m. on Friday (2000 GMT on Thursday), local police said.

In Phang Nga, two devices were found on Saturday near a market that was torched in an attack early on Friday.

"One worked and the other two didn't," Phakaphong Tavipatana, the governor of Phang Nga, told Reuters, adding that police hoped to find fingerprints on the defused devices.

Phuket and Phang Nga

were both hit in the attacks on Thursday and Friday, as was Surat Thani, a city that is the gateway to the popular islands in the Gulf of Thailand.

Attackers struck targets in seven southern Thai provinces, using bombs as well as incendiary devices that set shops and markets ablaze.

A man has been arrested and was being questioned in connection to an arson attack on a supermarket in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pongsapat said. Police believe more than one individual was involved in that attack, he said.

NO SCAPEGOATS Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief who led the coup two years ago, has instructed the police to be thorough and cautious in their investigation, said Pongsapat, adding that police were "not catching scapegoats."

No evidence has been found yet to connect southern insurgents to the attacks, Pongsapat said, but DNA samples collected at the blast sites were being compared with databases in the southern Muslim provinces.

Fears that followers of former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra could be blamed prompted a senior figure in their Puea Thai Party to issue a sharp denial on Saturday.

Thaksin's government was toppled by the military in 2006, while Yingluck's was overthrown two years ago.

The anti-government United Front For Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), known as the "red shirt" group and sympathetic to the Shinawatras, condemned the attacks in a statement on Sunday.

10

MOnDAY 15•08•2016

public discourse

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

‘Will pursue a political discourse Call to retrospect the past that is charted by the people’

69th Independence Day speech delivered by Mr.Kiumukam Yimchunger, President, Government of the Democractic Republic of Nagaland, Naga National Council (Non-Accord)

Government Of The People's Republic Of Nagaland 70th Naga Independence Day Statement 14th August 2016

W

e give all glory and honor to God, the Creator of our Nation, for His peace and grace over our land. The GPRN/ NSCN under the leadership of Chairman Gen. (Retd.) M.B Neokpao Konyak, General Secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi, convey warm regards to our people far and near, on the occasion of the 70th Naga Independence day.

It is a solemn day to remember and salute our patriots, the leaders and the followers, who undertook the great task of proclaiming and declaring the freedom of the British Administered Naga areas on 14th August 1947. By this historic declaration, on the eve of the withdrawal of British power from the Indian subcontinent, a small part of Naga homeland controlled and administered by the British, namely the present Union Territory (Dimapur), Angami Region (Kohima) Ao Region, (Mokokchung), Lotha Region (Wokha), a part of Sumi Region (Zunheboto), Chakhesang and Pochury Regions (Phek) Zeliangrong Region (Peren), outrightly rejected foreign domination and occupation to merge with those of the unadministered, uncon-

trolled, independent free Nagas. Thus a great political step was accomplished by the occupied Nagas towards a greater unified political identity. Thousands of lives have, since then, been sacrificed to uphold the right to self determination of the Naga people.

In the 19th century, India was not more than a vague idea of a nation, comprising of more than five hundred independent princely states all fighting against each other through treachery and deceit mostly orchestrated by the British. Even then, the Naga villages had evolved and established their own political, economic and social order administered by warrior chieftains and their deputies. Though inter-village rivalry and headhunting existed, the familiar customs and traditions of different Naga tribes all points to the existence of the basic national identity long before British administration touched Nagaland in 1826.

Today, the Naga people's aspiration for sovereignty has been reduced to a game of autonomy and special economic privileges. The focal view of the much hyped framework agreement of 3rd August 2015 between GOI and NSCN (IM) is more of economic arrangement for a particular section rather than a political solution for all Nagas. The sane voices of intellectuals, pioneers and actual stakeholders are be-

ing drowned by the preposterous and adulatory statements of few sponsored NGOs, civil societies and the Nagaland state government. These remote controlled leaders are fomenting future conflict within the Naga family and it is very important that they become servants of Nagaland rather than servants of one faction. The people of Nagaland have rejected political agreements in the past which did not have their consent and approval. Let it be reminded that the people wield greater power and authority than the signatories of agreements. There is no political crime greater than insulting a people’s history.

On how a peaceful and acceptable political solution could be achieved, The GPRN/NSCN led by Gen, (Retd.) M.B Neokpao and N. Kitovi Zhimomi has conveyed its stand and position clear to the GoI. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi's gesture is appreciated but a talk with a single faction will not end the Indo-Naga political issue. Naga issue cannot be solved behind closed doors and with one man. Every Naga tribe occupies a compact and specific area since time immemorial.

Many dwell under Myanmar, and Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, all divided without their consent. The present Nagaland state and the tribes inhabiting it have been the fortress and the inex-

haustible reservoir of freedom fighters. An agreement between GOI and a single faction, shrouded in mystery for more than a year do not augur well for the people of Nagaland. Pre-emptive publicity blitz, deputing officials to every nuke and corner of Nagaland to preach solution will not bring solution. The tribes of Nagaland are being treated like fools as though they do not understand English language spoken by Indian leaders with regard to Naga sovereignty and Integration of Nagas areas. GPRN/NSCN will, together with our people, pursue a comprehensive political discourse that is transparent and charted by the people.

GPRN/NSCN believes that the future of the people of Nagaland is no less important than that of the future of Burma Nagas, Manipur Nagas, Assam Nagas or Arunachal Nagas. The secret nature of the talks demands all stakeholders in Nagaland to be aware of the political theatrics being employed at different levels to harass our conscience and judgment. The mountains and hills of Nagaland, where the bones of thousands of freedom fighters lay buried, will curse us should we fail to provide a secure and honorable future for our children.

KUKNALIM! MIP, GPRN/NSCN

‘Independence Day is the stamp of Naga ‘Ready to face any situation and nationhood and the legacy of free Nagas’ eventuality to defend our nation’

Speech Of The Chief Guest Mr. Rh. Raising, Kilo Kilonser, On 70thIndependence Day Celebration, 14Th August 2016 At Chq, Hebron.

R

espected moderator, honorable leaders of various civil societies and Churches, distinguished guests, dear fellow workers, ladies and gentlemen gathered here, I would like to say thank you to all of you for joining us on this joyous Independence Day celebration. I also give greetings of this historic day to all the people of Nagalim in the precious name of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ.

At the very outset, I pay homage to those heroes and martyrs of the cause of ‘Nagalim for Christ.’ I give my revolutionary salute to all comrades-in-common cause and also to the revolutionary people of far and near who are also struggling for their future.

We talk of freedom and independence not only because we love it, but also mainly because it is an indispensable part of our individual as well as social life. Freedom is an inherent right of an individual and people to be recognized. NSCN is undoubtedly for the freedom that chooses future of the Nagas; it is for the freedom that chooses peace and progress in the land, not war and the freedom that builds bridges among people and nations, not walls.

It has chosen the freedom to worship the living God, not idols, the freedom to live together as one people, and freedom to decide the future of the Nagas by the Naga themselves, not by others.

This Independence Day is a landmark in Naga history. It is the stamp of Naga nationhood and the legacy of free Nagas ever to be remembered by all gen-

erations. However, this great day needs to be recognized by the aggressor states and the world community as well.

Nagas were once divided in the line of village-states and tribe and so they glorified the concept of village-ism and tribalism. In course of time, they developed into one people and one nation through the spirit of Nagalim for Christ. Nagalim for Christ is the guiding principle and the uniting point for all Nagas. It is the spirit of Naga nationhood. However, we are witnessing some people, who are still being infected with the virus of tribalism and divisionism.

They do not see the Nagas as one people of the same country, same culture, same identity, same history and same political concept, but view them from enemies’ perspective. Speaking in the colonial divisive language, they call the Nagas as Burma Nagas, Indian Nagas, Nagaland Nagas, Manipur Nagas, Assam Nagas and Arunachal Nagas. This is a psychological roadblock to the oneness of Naga people. To us, the Nagas are one and there is no adjective to qualify them and that there is no white Nagas or black Nagas. The enemies can divide the Nagas for some time, but they can never divide them forever. The enemies can kill thousands or hundreds of thousands Nagas, but they can never kill the living spirit of Nagalim for Christ. This invincible spirit will outfight the aggressors and outlive the killers.

Many people are misinformed or dis-informed by the false preachers that ‘Nagas are asking for sovereignty from India’ and ‘sovereignty is indivisible.’ Based on the universal principle of democracy, government of India (GoI) has clearly spelled out that sovereignty of the Nagas lies with the Naga people and the sovereignty of India lies with the Indian people.

A message to his leadership

T

his was 24th April 2015, 10:20 am at 61 Lodhi Estate New Delhi. My gratitude to our brother VS Atem who took the trouble to make this one to one meeting possible, I told his leadership that, I have brought a message from the souls of Nagas which is comparable to the “breath of life” when God created the First man ADAM . A body without the breath of life is a CORPSE and the place for corpse is cemetery. Therefore, if the package does not contain the seed (the breath of life) which is good for Nagas of Nagaland then it will go to the cemetery when brought to Nagaland. You are the only person who has this power to put this seed, I told him.

Secondly, I told his leadership that the Nagas of these two states will not have good relationship for at least a generation, but, that shouldn’t stop us from sowing the seed of brotherhood for the future.

Remember, before the division, together we fought and died side by side that made us blood brothers.

The third point I mentioned was that, we should not allow the Govt. of India to divert the proposed interna-

tional four lane highway from our land to Jorabam-Silchar.

If this happens, the Nagas of Nagaland would lose the future leverage of friendship with their counterpart meiteis, which otherwise would be a handy diplomatic tool to help our southern brothers in time of their need.

This discussion took place exactly 100 days before the signing of the accord that lasted fifty minutes where he gave patient hearing, nodding his head in agreement till I finished, now, taking his turn he narrated his venture into the political struggle along with his beloved leader Isac Chishi Swu, also he apprised me the progress of the talk, to which he said was 75% accomplished and two or more points are yet to be finalised and express his satisfaction and thanked me for the visit. My point here is that, he has heard the message LOUD AND CLEAR… Now, the question is, whether he will DO IT OR NOT??? I humbled myself before God and men for getting this opportunity which in my mind “a small effort for the love of our land”. God bless Nagaland.

Kaka Zhimomi, Irali bill, Dimapur

Speech of Y. Wangtin Naga, His Excellency the President, NSCN/GPRN-Reformation on 70th Naga Independence Day.

M

y Dearest country men and women, comrades in Naga National Movement, I on behalf of Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (NSCN-Reformation) thank our Almighty God who chose Naga People as His Special People and guide us thus far to witness 70th Naga Independence Day on this day, the 14th August 2016. On this day of 14th August 1947, the Naga People under the great and ablest leadership of Late A.Z. Phizo, the then President NNC declared Naga Independence which clearly drawn vertical line between India and Nagaland as two neighbouring countries. The First Naga Political Struggle was against British administration long before India became a country which could be traced back to 1918, the Naga Club formation and submission of Memorandum to Simon Commission in January 1929. The Hydari Agreement (9 points Agreement) was first agreement signed between the representatives of British-India government and the Naga People on June 1947 for a period of ten years. The provision of the agreement delegated total powers on Naga National Council which also stated that, after ten years, the Naga People should decide their future. The terms of agreement could not be materialised due to: a. India feared that, the Nagaland would become a country after ten years. b. Development of controversy between India and Nagas. c. Un-expected changes in British-India government’s policy for grant of Independence to India on August 1947. Thus, the un-rest developed in Naga Country particularly, among the NNC rank and files which the NNC leaders led by Late A.Z. Phizo and Late Sakhrie to meet Mahatma Gandhi, the father of Indian Nation and accordingly the Naga delegates met Gandhiji on 19th July

1947 at Bhangi Colony, New Delhi and expressed the desire of the Naga People to declare Naga Independence to mark that, Nagas have not joined the Union of India. The Naga delegates also told Mahatma Gandhi that, Akbar Hydari, the Governor of Assam might use Indian Armed Forces against the Nagas if they declared Naga Independence, to which Mahatma Gandhi assured that, he would ask Hydari and his forces to shoot him first before any Naga was shot at.

The Naga delegates were fully satisfied with Gandhiji’s assurance and declared Naga Independence on 14th August 1947 not against India but to safeguard the identity and rights of the Nagas but Late Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India used all forces available against the Nagas, mainly to crush Naga National Movement. Thus, merciless Indian Army without any hesitation committed heinous crimes against the Nagas by raping Naga women, rampant arrest, beating and merciless killing, burning of Naga houses, churches and granaries in Naga Country. The India government also started anti-Naga Campaign to convince the international communities that, the Naga people chose to stay with India and only handful youths declared Naga Independence against the wishes of the Nagas. Against such negative campaign the Naga people were compelled to call the voluntary Plebiscite and accordingly conducted Naga National Plebiscite on 16th May 1951 where its result displayed 99% voted for Naga Independence.

This was how, the zeal and un-dying desire of the Naga people displayed to India and entire world that, they would never become Indian.

Today, the Naga People are most fortunate people who have bright future and visionary leaders who led us thus far. The NSCN-Reformation will never forsake the Naga People and part away from Naga history but to uphold the Naga National Plebiscite of 1951 till the Naga becomes a Nation. The NSCN-Reformation being the youngest Revolutionary organisation should lead the Naga National struggle and ready to face any given situation and eventualities to defend our nationhood.

MIP, NSCN/GPRN-Reformation

My Dear Brethren, On this auspicious occasion of the 69th Anniversary of our Naga Independence, I greet each and every one of you in the name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ in whom we trust for deliverance.

First of all I salute and pay homage to the pioneers and martyrs who sacrificed everything they have for the liberation of Nagaland from foreign's heavy yoke. The far sighted Naga leaders since the formation of Naga Club in 1918 and Naga National Council in 1946 and throughout the times of struggle imbibed the aspiration for the unification of all the Naga people across the frontier. They are the tallest of leaders because, had it not been for the great vision and tremendous sacrifices made by our past leaders. We won't be where and what we are today.

Brethren, in the course of struggle for sovereignty and on pursuit of Independence, several memorandums have been submitted and several pacts and agreements signed or doctored, but could not bear fruit. Because our people and Naga National Council stood and stuck to total sovereignty. Let us retrospect the past trails and hardship endured and faced by past Naga National Workers and imposed upon by the colonial Indian power over the Nagas from 1950s to till 1980s. The Indian army equipped with many colonial and draconian laws directed its aggression to annihilate the entire Nagas which can be compared with Hitler's NAZI German, uprooting the Nagas by grouping the villagers, torture, rape and massacre and destroying crops and burning down of villages besides killing thousands of people both men and women even the children, an undisputable case of genocides, all for the cause of Naga sovereignty. Even after enduring all these inhuman atrocities some past leaders entered into traps set by the Indian leaders and signed the infamous Shillong Accord of 11th November 1975, without the consent of the Naga people and the Naga National Council (NNC) and this created the rift among the fellow National Workers and leaders. Thus the darkest boomerang of the fractions and factions in as much as the accord was not acceptable to the Naga people.

Brethren, I along with fellow comrades condemned the accord and formed our true legacy of Naga National Council (Non-Accord) and thereafter Government of the Democratic Republic of Nagaland.

Dear Comrades, as stated above, can we now compromise those sacrifices for the shared sovereignty? Or an autonomous status? Are we fighting for total sovereignty or a semi sovereignty? So then can the Nagas proclaim the 14th August 1947 declaration of Independence be now to a null and void? Or disclaim the 16th May 1951, Naga plebiscite in which 99.9% Nagas gave their thumb impression for total sovereignty?

Naga nation was there even before India was born on 15th August 1947, and Democratic Republic system of Governance was practicing from time immemorial. But Indians adopted their Republic only in the year 1950.

Brethren, we the God's chosen Nagas should not belittle ourselves that we have not enough land, population or unworthy, we have our uniqueness in every way. We have enough land, our traditions, our customs, and civilisation since India was created. Many talented and brave leaders have sacrificed their life, taken time and wealth for the liberation of Nagaland and with this the Govt. of the Democratic Republic of Nagaland. So the NNC/ GDRN (Non-Accord) shall continuously pursue what our pioneer had dreamed for the Nagas. For the powers and chairs are temporary but the nationhood is not, and the size or the stature of the leadership is measured by the people only.

Last not the least, Nagas have produced multiple intellectuals, scholars, think tanks, orator, writers and multiple rich people and above all many statesmen. Now we have these question to ponder that what will be the best for the people whether to continue to march bearing legacy of the sovereignty that sowed deeply by the bygone leaders or to live under the bondage of other.

My dear Naga national workers irrespective of particular groups or factions, I appeal to work together and raise up our heads and stand firm for our common goals, as a saying goes, "Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours either to win or lose." May Almighty bless you all.

Kuknalim.

Through MIP NNC/GDRN (Non-Accord)

‘India can never win with Draconian Acts’

AGAINST: i. Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act: 1953. ii. Armed Forces Special Power Act: 1958. iii. Nagaland Security Regulation Act: 1962.

F

or a Country chasing after its way to be a World Power in Economy and zealously seeking a Permanent UN Security Council Seat in the Comity of the Nations of the World, the dependence on its Military Force for Solution of its Political troubles, is a little incompatible and appear awry for India.

In 2015, last year, the Amnesty International has recorded: “more than 800 cases of torture and deaths in the custody of army and other security forces in the 1990s, and hundreds of other cases of extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances from 1989 to 2013” in India.

This is considerably critical an observation on the Government by a respected neutral Organ of the World. The Respect a Nation commands in the eye of the World depends not only on its Natural endowment, population size or the Economy and the size of its Army, but on many other Issues some important ones of which are: the Equality of life of the People, its treatment of the Minority, Freedom the people enjoy, Education, Health, Justice and the degree of corruption that go to define the quality of Governance.

The existence of Extrajudicial Executions and Enforced Disappearances of

the Citizens are two most damning descriptions a Nation can have. It reflects darkly on the Nation and for a respected Neutral International Organ of the World to described India in these Terms is ugly to be honest. In addition, the more than comfortable instances of the Court punishing Members of the Security Forces for Fake Encounters, is a most dishonorable measurement of the behavior of the Security Forces.

The people of the Northeast, particularly of Nagaland and of Manipur very well, have experiences of these bitter and painful aberrations of the Security Forces all these years for more than half a century. It is very natural they vehemently abhor and reject such treatments.

It is most amazing how commonly helpful, friendly and nice Security personnel can suddenly turn into an inhumanly insane animal when endangered.

The Trainings of the Security Forces should do well to include Remaining Forcefully Humane in the face of great personal danger.

The Recent Civilian deaths in Nagaland in Army’s Hand and later Post mortem findings of bullets entering the deceased from the Back of the body tells the story of the Abominable Snowman, the Yeti, still existing in the Himalaya Mountains!

In 1953 Assam Government pressed its Brand New Armed Assam Police Battalions into then Naga Hills in great expectation of putting down the ‘Misguided Naga Armed Hostiles’. Within less than 2 years they had to be withdrawn

with bitter remembrances of the Naga Hills and Battalions after Battalions of Indian Army poured in for their replacement.

The Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act was enacted more than half a Century ago in 1953; it is still running. It was soon followed by the more comprehensive Armed Forces Special Powers Act of 1958, still the Draconian backbone Acts. The Army then greatly hopeful proclaimed Nagaland will soon be made free of “insurgents”. Four years later, Nagaland Security regulation of1962 had to be added, then came the much decorated Gen. Manikshaw who promised the Naga Hostiles will be cleared in One Week.

Many Weeks passed; the renowned Gen. has passed away; many others have come and gone but the dreaded Acts remains detested and bitter. The MPs dreamed the Acts would pave the way for Solutions; in their wildest dreams they did not forsee their actions would turn into Extrajudicial Capital Punishment the Nation is much against. The Parliament has given a Subedar –any Subedar- in the field, a sweeping blind legal document of the Court to summarily award Capital punishment to ANY man or woman the Subedar suspects to be a Terrorist! Can a civilized democratic Nation allow such a summary Power to a mere Armed Security personnel? A Political Problem has no military solution, draconian Acts supporting it may be!

The Army has learned long ago and advised their civilian Bosses in Delhi

that the Naga Problem does not have a Military Solution. It is political and must have a political Solution. The Civilian Government does not have high a respect for their Military but they fear the Military also and so every Politician began to say what the Security personnels have said -Naga Problem is Political and must be solved Politically.

But the Politician-Bureaucrat combine of India unconsciously wants the Naga Problem to be solved by their Security Forces. India still imagines its Military to solve the Naga political Problem.

The evergreen Congress Leader of Kashmir Mr. Gulam Nabi Azad, recently advised the Prime Minister Modi to win the Kashmiri hearts than cower them with the Security Force.

India can never win the Northeast

by Draconian Acts supporting their Security Force. This system of dealing the Naga and the Manipur situations with Security Forces fortified with draconian Acts have already been discarded by the Military Establishment themselves; but they are not sure of themselves and are still afraid of the situation unless they have the legal documents in their Pockets!

In the Naga case, such abhorrent Acts will in future generations produce only educated middle Class, Home-grownaffluent-movement in favor of NAGA SOVEREIGNTY Mr. RN. Ravi, the Interlocutor between GoI and the IM has himself recently said should continue.

The Naga will never settle for a Dalit Status in India.

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.

Thepfulhouvi Solo.

Monday 15•08•2016

EntErtainmEnt

‘Star Wars’ actor Kenny Baker dies at 81 May India be free from rape:

B

ritish actor Kenny Baker, best known for playing robot character R2-D2 in the first six "Star Wars" films, has passed away. He was 81.

His niece, Abigail Shield, said the demise was expected as Baker had been ill for a long time, reported The Guardian.

"It was expected, but it's sad nonetheless. He had a very long and fulfilled life.

He brought lots of happiness to people and we'll be celebrating the fact that he was well loved throughout the world. We're all very proud of what he achieved in his lifetime," she said.

Other credits of the actor, who stood 3 feet 8 inches tall, include "Flash Gordon" and "Labyrinth".

"When he was a child, he was told that he prob-

ably wouldn't survive for long. Being a little person in those times, they didn't have a very good life expectancy," Shield said of Baker.

"He did extremely well in his life. He was very ill for the last few years so we had

been expecting it. He had been looked after by one of his nephews, who found him on Saturday morning."

Baker was also able to attend the London premiere of the latest Star Wars film, "The Force Awakens".

Big B’s pledge on I-Day

rected from 1999 to 2005.

Lucas acknowledged Baker's passing on StarWars.

Com. "Kenny Baker was a real gentleman as well as an incredible trooper who always worked hard under difficult circumstances. A talented vaudevillian who could always make everybody laugh, Kenny was truly the heart and soul of R2-D2 and will be missed by all his fans and everyone who knew him," the filmmaker said.

Mark Hamill, just one of Baker's co-stars and fans who paid tribute to him on social media, remembered him. "Goodbye #KennyBaker A lifelong loyal friend-I loved his optimism & determination He WAS the droid I was looking for!"

Hamill tweeted.

He first played R2-D2 in the first "Star Wars" movie in 1977. He went on to reprise the role of the droid in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" as well as the three "Star Wars" prequels George Lucas di-

M

e ga s t a r A m i t ab h Bachchan says this Independence Day, citizens of the country should pledge India be freed from rape. The 73-year-old "Te3n" star shared his views on Twitter and posted a still from his upcoming thriller "Pink", which is about three women, who possibly get sexually assaulted.

"Independence Day 15th August pledge... May India be Independent from rape... Bharat aazad ho rape se...," Bachchan wrote.

The actor also re-tweeted his own post about women and asked his followers to always remember it by captioning the message- 'say it again...'" "A woman's body is not a democracy, it's a dictatorship, and it’s about time the dictator took charge," read the message.

Source :PTI

Source: PTI

Kevin Modelling isn’t that great a Hart profession, says Diana Penty marries girlfriend

M

any youngsters try to look like their favourite Bollywood actors. At times, however, they tend to take extreme measures and end up ruining their health.

Model-turned-actor Diana Penty, who isn’t oblivious to this fact, says, “Going on extreme diets to get a certain look is not worth it because modelling isn’t that great a profession at the end of the day.”

The actor, who made her Bollywood debut with Cocktail (2012), will be seen in the upcoming film Happy Bhag Jayegi. She says that even she was conscious of her physical appearance while growing up. “I have been skinny since I was a kid, and I hated it,” she says. “I was tall, lanky and stood out in an awkward way. It took a lot for me to get over that. I was extremely self-conscious.”

Ask her if she thinks actors and models are unintentionally responsible for setting unrealistic fashion standards, and Diana says, “Yes, and no. If I approach this question from a personal point of view, I agree.

Modelling just happened to me; I never planned it.

I decided to use my physique to my advantage in the profession. Young girls look at us and think we are

A

ctor Kevin Hart has tied the knot with girlfriend Eniko Parrishin a romantic wedding ceremony in Santa Barbara, California. The couple, who first met in 2009, exchanged their 'I do's' in front of 200 of their closest friends and family members, in the ceremony that took place yesterday, reported Us magazine. Hart's eightyear-old son, Hendrix, served as the best man.

The 'Ride Along' star posted a photo on Instagram on Saturday night with his new wife, and his two children from a previous marriage, captioning the picture, "#Harts what's understood doesn't need to be said!!!! #LiveLoveLove."

The 37-year-old announced in August 2014 that he popped the question to his model girlfriend, now 31, on her 30th birthday. The 'Get Hard' actor was previously married to Torrei Hart from 2003 to 2011.

The exes share two children, daughter Heaven, 11, and Hendrix.

Source: PTI

NOW SHOWING rustam

12:40 pm | 08:00 PM

suicide squad

flawless. But they should know that a lot of photo editing happens on magazine covers. We don’t wake up every morning looking like that. With so many touch ups and makeup, who wouldn’t look good?”

Diana explains why, despite being approached to judge various beauty contents, she never took one

up. She says, “Everyone is beautiful in their own way. So, how do you pick one winner from 10 girls?

All of them might work in completely different ways.

Some might be good on the runway, some for TV, films, etc. So, on what basis do you choose?”

05:40 pm

mohenjo daro

Source: Hindustan Times

Tom Cruise hasn’t seen daughter Suri in 3 years, and isn’t even trying: Reports

T

om Cruise, one of the world’s biggest stars and infamous S cientologist, hasn’t seen his daughter Suri in 3 years, and according to some reports, he isn’t even trying. According to a report in Fox News on Wednesday, the Mission Impossible star last saw his daughter when she was 7.

She is now 10 years old, living with her mother Katie Holmes in New York while Cruise lives

across the country in Los Angeles. “If he wanted to see her, he could see her,” one source told New York Post in June. “Even people in prison have a right to see their children.”

Scientology, the cultlike religion Cruise infamously associates himself with, has been blamed for the growing distance between him and Suri. It was also the primary reason for his separation from Katie Holmes, to whom he was

married from 2006-2012.

The Church forbids any connection to ‘nonbelievers’, which Suri and her mother would qualify as. A source cited in the New York Post story says that Holmes could be categorised as a SP (suppressive person) in Scientology terms, and Suri as a PTS (potential trouble source).

But Fox News suggests Suri isn’t too affected by this. “She’s thriving. She’s got lots of

friends and a nice, normal life. This is his loss, his issue, his problem,” said a source in the Fox report. “He must be really brainwashed.”

Cruise was recently heavily featured in the tell-all Scientology documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief which went into great depth about the star’s involvement with the group.

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Source: Hindustan Times

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MonDAY 15•08•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Phelps signs off, Bolt grabs spotlight in Rio

C M Y K

RiO de JaneiRO, auguSt 14 (aFP): A classic Michael Phelps performance ended the swimming legend's career with 23 Olympic gold medals before handing over the Rio Games centre stage to Usain Bolt.

The 29-year-old Jamaican track star lines up for the men's 100m final Sunday night and says archrival Justin Gatlin, the fastest man this year, 'holds no fear for me' ahead of one of the biggest showdowns of the Games.

That epic race comes on the heels of a heroic performance on Saturday by Britain's Mo Farah, who picked himself up off the track after a fall to claw his way to victory in the 10,000m.

But on a night the United States says it reached 1,000 gold medals overall, the spotlight belonged to Phelps.

The 31-year-old had to come from behind on the butterfly leg of the 4x100m medley to set up the victory in 3min 27.95sec, which included a world record in the backstroke leg by America's Ryan Murphy.

It was a fittingly triumphant swansong for Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history who added five golds and a silver in Rio. He finished his career with 28 medals overall.

His coach Bob Bowman said we may never see the likes of Phelps again for a long time.

"It's not even once in a generation. It may be once

Michael Phelps of USA poses with his gold medal after winning the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Rio de Janeiro on August 13. (REUTERS)

in 10 generations," he said.

Phelps said he had felt himself "starting to crack" heading for the pool for his last race but the result could not have been better.

"This is how I wanted to finish my career. I've lived a dream come true," he said.

The women's quartet of Kathleen Baker, Lilly King, Simone Manuel and Dana Vollmer also won their race, which the US Olympic Committee said took the country to 1,000 Olympic golds.

- Bolt no fear Bolt is also looking for a perfect finish to his Olympic career, by sweeping the 100m, 200m and relay sprint golds for the third straight Olympics.

The Jamaican and his

US arch-rival Gatlin both came through their preliminary races with ease Saturday.

Barring a catastrophe, they will clash in the final at 22:25pm (0125 GMT Monday) and both are confident.

"I'm feeling good. I'm happy," said Bolt.

He told the Sunday's French newspaper Le Parisien that Gatlin "holds no fear for me" and that athletics, mired in a major drugs scandal, needs him to beat a rival snared twice for doping.

Saturday's track highlight saw Mo Farah pick himself up after being clipped by training partner Galen Rupp in the 10,000m and gallop away to glory.

"When I went down, I

thought, 'Oh my God, that is it.' I just got up and wanted to stick with the guys and stay strong," Farah said.

Elaine Thompson ended the reign of ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce with a women's 100m victory of 10.71sec which torpedoed her fellow Jamaican's hopes of an Olympic hattrick in the event.

In other athletics action Saturday, Britain's golden girl Jessica Ennis-Hill was dramatically denied a second straight heptathlon win.

Belgium's Nafissatou Thiam needed to finish the closing 800m within nine seconds of Ennis-Hill, and made it when she crossed 7.47sec behind.

American Jeff Henderson won the long jump while Germany's Christoph Harting won discus gold to keep the title in the family after his brother Robert, the 2012 champion, ruined his chances by straining his back while turning off a light with his foot. At the velodrome, Britain's Katie Archibald, Laura Trott, Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell-Shand smashed the women's team pursuit world record for the third time in 48 hours to take gold, beating world champions USA to defend their title.

The Netherlands' Elis Ligtlee pulled off a shock when she won the women's keirin, beating Britain's Becky James with Australian legend Anna Meares third.

US wins 1,000th Olympic gold medal

Gold medallists Kathleen Baker (USA) of USA, Lilly King (USA) of USA, Dana Vollmer (USA) of USA and Simone Manuel (USA) of USA pose with their medals and national flag. (REUTERS)

T

he United States won its 1,000th Olympic gold medal on Saturday when the American women's 4x100 meter medley relay team clinched victory at the Rio Games.

The honor of reaching the milestone was shared

by Kathleen Baker, Lilly King, Dana Vollmer and Simone Manuel, who got to the wall first ahead of Australia.

"One thousand gold medals is a remarkable achievement made possible by the culture of sport that is the fabric and foundation of Team USA," United States Olympic Com-

mittee (USOC) head Scott Blackmun said.

Of the 1,000 gold medals, more than half have come from track and field (323) and swimming (246), USOC added.

The U.S. team had arrived in Rio with 977 gold medals, according to Olympstats.com, and had sat on 998 for much of Saturday until long jumper Jeff Henderson put them on the brink with his victory.

Sprinter Tori Bowie nearly took the U.S. over the top in the 100 meters but she was finished second behind Jamaica's Elaine Thompson, leaving it up to

the swimmers to complete the feat. "It really makes me think about all the generations of Olympic teams and athletes I watched and the inspiration that I have had," Vollmer said.

"We're here getting that 1,000th medal for the U.S. and it seems absolutely incredible.

"We've had an amazing Games and so many people getting their hand to the wall one after another we've fed off that and this is a great way to end."

If the U.S. women had not captured the landmark medal, Michael Phelps and the men's 4x100 medley re-

lay squad would have done so, the quartet winning gold in the next event in the pool, which was also the final race on the Rio swimming program.

Manuel might have also had a chance to grab the 1,000th earlier in the 50 freestyle but finished 0.02 seconds behind Denmark's Pernille Blume.

"It's really special that I could do it with the relay is amazing, just sharing it with three other women is icing on top of the cake," said Manuel.

"I mean 1,000 gold for the USA is a nice number."

(Reuters)

Kenya's Jemima Sumgong wins Rio women's marathon

Sania-Bopanna go down in mixed doubles semis

J

emima Sumgong made the most of a kick with 6km to run to win Kenya's first ever Olympic women's marathon gold on Sunday. Sumgong, winner of this year's London marathon, timed 2hr 24min 04sec for Kenya's first-ever women's marathon gold over the 42km-long course that finished at Rio's Sambodromo with temperatures hitting 28 degrees Celsius (82F).

Just before the finish, a group of protesters carrying banners climbed over barriers and ran onto the course before being intercepted by police on motorbikes.

Bahrain claimed only their second medal in any sport when Kenyan-born Eunice Kirwa took silver, 9sec adrift of Sumgong, while defending world champion Mare Dibaba of Ethiopia claimed bronze, at 26sec.

Dibaba, in her first race since

finishing sixth at the London Marathon, had led a lead pack of seven runners through the 35km mark in 2:00.31.

But then with 6km to go, Kirwa surged, only Dibaba and Sumgang managing the pace.

Ethiopian Tirfi Tsegaye, who timed a world-leading 2:19:41 to win the Dubai Marathon at the start of the year and then finished second at the Boston Marathon, and Belarus' Volha Mazuronak became the new chase pack as Bahrain's Kenyan-born Rose Chelimo and American Shalane Flanagan were dropped.

Clocking 16:31 as their fastest 5km segment of the race, between 35km and 40km, the leaders' approach to the turning course in the final run-in to the Sambodromo put paid to Dibaba's efforts, the Ethiopian falling behind Sumgong and

Kirwa. Sumgong then turned the screw on former compatriot Kirwa down the home stretch to claim a historic gold for Kenya's women marathon runners.

For a large part of the race, there was a lead pack of 15.

Hitting the halfway mark in 1:12:56, it still consisted of 13, including the North Korean Kim twins, Hye-Song in the pink shoes, Hye-Gyong in the blue, who went on to finish 10th and 11th respectively.

Mazuronak, wearing a tight bandana, surged briefly before she was reeled in, but American Amy Cragg and Kenya's Helah Kiprop fell off the pace as the field began to split with the lead pack at seven.

Then came Kirwa's burst before Sumgong showed all her experience to power past the Bahraini for gold.

(AFP)

Jemima Sumgong runs through the finishing tape to win the Olympic women's marathon in Rio on August 14. (AFP Photo)

The Indian duo of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna went down fighting in the semi-finals of the mixed doubles tennis event to the US team of Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram at the Rio Olympics here. The Indians won the first set quite comfortably before squandering the lead and going down 6-2, 2-6, 3-10 in one hour and 17 minutes at the Olympic Tennis Centre here on Saturday. The Americans thus went into the final and assured themselves of at least a silver. The Indians will now have to contest the play-off for the bronze medal against Lucie Hradecka and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic on Sunday.

(IANS)

Kohli joy as India rout WIndies to win series Football Clinic-cum-Selection Trial held in Tseminyu Sharma, Bravo fined for verbal exchanges

I

Virat Kohli acknowledges the Indian dressing room after a 2-0 series win, West Indies v India, 3rd Test, Gros Islet, 5th day, August 13. (AFP Photo)

St Lucia, auguSt 14 (ReuteRS): India crushed West Indies at the third test in St Lucia on Saturday, clinching the series and prompting captain Virat Kohli to say his team were going from "strength to strength".

The touring side won by 237 runs on the fifth and final day after bowling out West Indies for 108, the second lowest score by the hosts against India in the Caribbean. The victory gave Kohli's men an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series and ended a streak of six consecutive series defeats outside Asia.

Paceman Mohammed Shami was the chief destroyer with three for 15 while spinner Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Ishant Sharma took two wickets apiece.

"The credit goes to the whole squad, the way they have responded to the challenges," Kohli said at the presentation ceremony. "We always aim to win matches, win series, especially away from India, and

this has been a very good start."

The West Indies collapse was dismal apart from an assured 59 by number three Darren Bravo. India had not won or drawn a series outside the sub-continent since their triumph in West Indies in 2011. They have now won three straight series in the Caribbean after losing seven of their first eight. The touring side won the third test despite losing a day to rain at the Darren Sammy Stadium in Gros Islet.

Defeat represented yet another setback for the Windies who have drawn two and lost eight of their last 10 tests, Captain Jason Holder had few complaints about the bowling but acknowledged major problems with his team's batting. "The guys need to dig a little deeper," he said. "You can't win test matches unless you put runs on the board.

"We've got to be a little more patient, put a bigger price on our wickets. I can't put my finger on exactly how I'm going to fix it."

ndia's Rohit Sharma and West Indies' Darren Bravo have been fined 15 percent of their match fees after a series of heated verbal exchanges during the final day's play in the third test in St Lucia, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Sunday.

India crushed the hosts by 237 runs on the fifth and final day on Saturday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series, bowling out West Indies for 108, the second lowest score by the side against India at home.

"On the final morning of the match, Bravo and Sharma ignored numerous requests and instructions from the umpires to stop verbally engaging with each other in a manner that was not in keeping with the spirit of the game," the ICC said in a brief statement. Both players had admitted their offence and accepted the fine imposed by match referee Ranjan Madugalle and there was no need for formal hearings, the statement added.

(REUTERS)

tSeminyu, auguSt 14 (mexn): Tseminyu sub-division sparked into a football frenzy on August 12 and 13 with young footballers from all over the sub-division and beyond converging at the Rengma Sports Association Ground (RSA), Tseminyu Old Town to attend a Football Clinic cum Selection Trial for Vanguard FC Tseminyu.

According to a press release, a total of 84 players

ranging from 12 to 26 years joined the 2-day football event with great enthusiasm to learn to play the beautiful game of football better and determination to seal their slots in the Vanguard FC's team roster.

The participants were trained by 12 trainers led

by Vanguard FC's Captain Yhunshalo Kemp and senior players like Nyithong Magh and Kenyuhyun Khing among others.

At the end of the 2-day event, a tentative short-list containing 20 names was announced for undergoing further training and selection. The two day event winded up with an exhibition match played between the Vanguard FC Promoters and Vanguard FC Officials. The match ended in a 4-1 win in favour of the Vanguard FC officials.

Officials Zenyhun and Shatilo scored a goal each

while Benlo scored a brace whereas EAC Tseminyu, Shelley Katiry scored the lone goal for the promoters.

The Vanguard FC Management has made a call to interested individuals and groups willing to join hands as club members to carry forward the Vanguard goal of leading in the developing football at the grass-root level and building a generation of trained footballers.

Zlatan strikes as Man United beats Bournemouth

BOuRnemOutH, auguSt 14 (aP): A superb goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his Premier League debut helped Manchester United to a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday in Jose Mourinho's first league game in charge of his new club.

Juan Mata opened the scoring five minutes before halftime after a defensive blunder and captain Wayne Rooney headed United's second in the 59th after a wayward shot by Anthony Martial.

But if there was an element of good fortune to United's first two goals, there was no doubting the sheer class of its third.

Ibrahimovic picked up the ball in midfield and unleashed a low 25-meter (yard) shot past Artur Boruc into the corner of the net. Adam Smith scored Bournemouth's consolation goal in the 69th, but Mourinho's side never looked like relinquishing control of the game.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores Manchester United's third goal (Getty Images)

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