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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 226
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www.morungexpress.com
180 dead as floods wash away homes in Nepal, India [ PAGE 8]
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
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Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?
MEC conducts survey on Govt Sponsored Loans in Mkg
Britney Spears under Fire for Using Sia Vocals [ PAGE 11]
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Bob Marley
[ PAGE 2]
Jayawardene ends test career in near-perfect style
[ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 12]
Pope leaves South Korea after urging peace
Dimapur’s ‘illicitly open’ liquor industry Imti Longchar
bribes landing in the hands of syndicates, trucks after trucks of liquor enter Nagaland gate unrestrained. These consignments not only go to the Armed forces, but flows directly into the general market, the source claimed. “But who can prove what when everyone- the excise, police, State government officials, politicians, church members, public- from the top rung to the bottom, are equally involved in the making of this industry?” he said, implicitly pinpointing the reason why the NLTP Act has not been a success or will never be.
Dimapur | August 18
I want to be the first Naga politician to join facebook. Btw how much are members paid? When will I get my first pay?
The Morung Express POLL QUESTIOn
Vote on www.morungexpress.com SMS your anSwer to 9862574165 Is the unresolved Assam-Nagaland border issue affecting the local market?
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Arunachal BJP demands deleting ‘any Naga tribe’ Itanagar, august 18 (PtI): The Arunachal Pradesh unit of BJP has demanded a constitutional amendment to delete the words “any Naga tribe” suffixed after the Nocte, Tangsa, Wancho, Tutsa and other tribes in the Scheduled Tribes list of the state. In a representation to the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram recently in New Delhi, the party had stated that the tribes, residing in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, were facing identity crisis and were inconvenienced in various official works as they were not recognised by the Centre as separate entities from “any Naga Tribe”, a party release said here today. The youths of these districts while appearing for UPSC and state Public Service Commission examinations were also facing problem because of the name, the representation said. “The government of Arunachal Pradesh has recommended for a constitutional amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribe) Order, 1950 for deletion of the words “any Naga Tribe” from the ST list of Arunachal Pradesh in the larger interest of the people and recognition of the Nocte, Wancho, Tangsa, Tutsa, and other tribes in the ambit of “any Naga tribe” to Scheduled Tribes (STs) list of the state,” the party said.
APPEAL
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As appealed to by Watinaro A Imsong, Against Corruption And Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland once again appeals to all civil societies, Students, Teachers, Faculty Members, Principals of Colleges/university and right thinking Individuals from all walks of life to come and assemble for a Gandhian sit-in protest agitation on 19th August 2014 Tuesday 9.30AM, Secretariat junction, Kohima to show solidarity in her struggle for justice and fight for the future of the student community. It is time Naga people show resentment at the sad state of affairs. Media Cell, ACAUT
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Amidst zealous and earnest debates flooding newspapers, social networking sites and road side liquor joints on the fallacy that Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP) 1989 is or not, a less perturbed illicit liquor industry continues to rise to humongous proportions in commercial hub Dimapur. Under the guise of mineral water wholesale shops and patently placing them under food restaurant industry on their registration licenses, the spurious liquor business is rising extraordinarily in all stretches of Dimapur. Keen observers point out how the commercial hub might have the highest number of wholesale shops selling mineral water in the whole of North East, coupled with an abnormal number of Indian cuisine hotels - most of which does not offer even a plate of chapatti. More ironically, amongst all the businesses dotting Dimapur, these shops are diligently the first to open shutters in the morning (by 5 am), and the last to close at night (11 pm) for its ‘customers.’ People in the know (and who does not know?) counted nearly 500 illegal wine shops in Dimapur and along NH 29 and rising. This figure does not include restaurants which have liquor on their menu, or home/residence based IMFL businesses inside the numerous colonies. To cite instances, a year or two ago, there was only one wine store, a very renowned one, near Dhobi Nullah traffic point intersection. Of late, it has tripled, flanking each other on the left and right of the road. Or along the neglected Signal road, where setting up business was deemed a bad idea (except for a Punjabi hotel prospering in mineral water business)
A group of people are seen drinking liquor in one of the many clandestine establishments which sell alcohol in Dimapur. Photo by Caisii Mao
because of the deplorable road condition or so, nearly half a dozen wine stores have cropped up and is doing brisk business. Likewise, be it City Tower, Nagarjan junction, Purana Bazaar, Burma Camp, 4th Mile and elsewhere, the sprouting liquor hotels with its trademark mineral water cartons and cold drinks decorated cupboards can hardly miss our sight.
a year into the business. “After that, its snapping fingers for you,” he quipped. His bold declaration holds water. A personnel of the Intelligence Branch revealed how during one of the recent routine closure of liquor stores by authorities, a single wine shop could earn a whopping profit of Rs 16 lakh by selling liquor to alarmed imbibers from 4 pm till 9 pm.
THE EARNINGS Lure of quick and highly dividend earnings and unemployment can be attributed for people venturing into the illicit liquor business, despite the knowledge of prohibition. No regard for the law because everyone else is breaking the law of prohibition can be another issue. Owner of a paan shop cum liquor joint was candid enough to reveal how one can become a ‘lakhpati’ if one lasts
THE GANG The stretch of Shillong and Guahati night bus boarding station (Blue Hill station) decorated with high rise hotels, lodgings, and bus counters is infamous for its alleged distinction of being a ‘syndicate’s haven,’ – meaning a hotspot from where most networking of illicit liquor supplies allegedly originate. A source, working in the police department explains how the illegal chain
NSDZ clauses are open ULFA seeks to discussion, says CM clarification from
Morung Express news Dimapur | August 18
Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today informed that the public consultation for setting up of Nagaland Special Development Zones (NSDZ) and other issues related to land policies has been tentatively slated for September 12. “As per government policies and programmes, we have announced the Nagaland Investment Board, and also the NSDZs, which have become a hot topic of discussion and controversies in the market,” said Zeliang. All the clauses that have come under question with regards the NSDZs, as per the CM, are mere proposals—it’s not an act yet— and are “open to discussion.” Identifying areas for the NSDZs will be done in consultation with people, landowners, government
representatives and other stakeholders, informed Zeliang. “We will issue a public notice for the public consultation tentatively to be held on September 12 where organizations like the Naga Hoho, ENPO, NSF, ENSF, etc. will be invited,” he added. Zeliang also intimated that some companies have approached the Government for making investments vis-à-vis NSDZs, but are yet to identify and highlight where investments are possible—only then will modalities be worked out. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister will meet the Kyong Students’ Union on August 29 to discuss issues around oil in Changpang, Wokha. He said that Memorandums of Understanding have been signed between the landowners and the company concerned in the presence of village representatives.
‘Naga leadership’
guWaHatI, august 18 (Ians): The ULFA has asked “aggressors” from Nagaland to withdraw from Assam and sought clarification from the Naga leadership. A statement issued by Abhizeet Asom, Chairman of the ULFA faction that opposes peace talks, asked Naga leaders to address the issue as a “matter of urgency”. “It is with greatest of anxiety and horror on the unfolding of the massacre of people of Assam at Uriamghat, a bordering area of our respective nations, I, as the executive head of ULFA, implore the Naga leadership to explain without ambiguity why such a horrific conflict could take place leading to loss of lives of innocent citizens of Assam,” he said
North East CMs’ to decide roadmap for development
agartala, august 18 (Ians): DoNER Minister Gen. (retd) V.K. Singh would meet the chief ministers of all eight northeastern states in Guwahati Aug 21-22 to decide a roadmap for the development of the region, an official said here Monday. This would be the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) minister’s first meeting with the chief ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim. “The meeting would discuss and resolve various strategies and plans on ag-
riculture, roadways, education, power, transport, tourism, industries and health sectors of the region,” an official of the North Eastern Council (NEC) told IANS. He said various expert groups and specialists would also make presentations highlighting the scope and available resources of the region. The meeting would also discuss the ongoing projects of the NEC. After assuming office in May, V.K. Singh held several meetings with top officials of both the DoNER ministry and the NEC in New Delhi and Guwahati to familiarise himself about the
northeastern states and functioning of his ministry and the council. A Tripura government official said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also agreed to convene a meeting soon of the eight chief ministers to resolve various problems of the region. Modi’s assurance came on Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s request when he met the prime minister in New Delhi recently. The official said Sarkar and Modi discussed issues such as connectivity, policy intervention, infrastructure, agricultural, educational, health service and tourism.
of the liquor industry is segregated into four components – syndicate, wholeseller, retailer and home business makers. Syndicates are the main suppliers to the whole-sellers, who, then sell to retailers and home business makers. Illicit liquor is also supplied directly by kingpins at Lahorijan and Khat Khati under Assam which, according to this source, is more cumbersome and risky for the bootleggers. One key factor on how syndicates manage to operate the illicit liquor business full swing may also be directly linked with the license awarded by the State government to individuals or groups for bonded ware house to supply liquor to Armed forces stationed in Nagaland and Manipur, says the source. With these licences, purportedly bought with ludicrous amounts of
NEW BREED OF LOCAL BREWERS The roaring illicit liquor industry in Dimapur has also witnessed the rise of a new breed of apprentice in the brewing business. There was a time when local beer made of rice were mostly brewed and sold by local women as means to survival and livelihood. And also with their contention that drinking rice beer was Naga traditional way of life. A walk around Westyard (Rail bazaar) area or Dhobi Nullah would reveal otherwise. At the bustling stretches of rice beer joints, swift and business minded non locals sell local brew kept in large basins along with plates of dry fried fish, fried blood cakes, mutton heads and innards. Many of these versatile non local businessmen have learnt the art of brewing rice beer as means to employment. They also buy the fermented rice from locals. In a reverse scenario, local women mostly widows or those with unemployed husbands have turned to sale of IMFL instead of the local brew. “This is more lucrative and hassle free than selling rice beer,” a woman who was into rice beer business, but now sells rum, remarked. That’s prohibition in Dimapur.
Assam-nagaland Border row • Protestors attack Tarun Gogoi’s convoy • 9 persons from Nagaland remain detained Ashikho Pfuzhe Dimapur | August 18
The illegal detention of nine members of the entourage of Nagaland Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Paiwang Konyak, in Assam by an Adivasi mob is snowballing into a major human crisis issue. The nine persons, including the personal secretary, five bodyguards and three drivers of the Parliamentary Secretary, have been held hostage since Independence Day after their convoy was waylaid near Golaghat junction by an Adivasi mob while proceeding to Jorhat to pick up Paiwang Konyak. Sources informed the convoy, consisting of three vehicles (Innova, Bolero and Escort Gypsy), along with the nine occupants, has been held hostage at the roadside and the occupants not allowed to move out from their vehicles except to answer nature’s call. With the hostage situation entering the fourth day, passions are reportedly running high among Paiwang’s entourage members, especially the body guards who have their arms and ammos intact. Enduring for four days inside the vehicles without proper food and sleep and without changing their clothes, the unbearable heat during daytime and the indignity of being subjected to stares and jeers in the open street, is proving too much for some escort personnel. “Some (escort personnel) have reportedly told authorities back home that they are running out of patience. They said they are even willing to risk their lives and confront the mob
Assure security, we’ll lift blockade: AAttsA Imkong Walling
Dimapur | August 18
The All Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (AATTSA) has asserted that it will continue the road blockade against Nagaland until security and peace is restored in the disputed Assam-Nagaland (Golaghat-Wokha) inter-state border. The AATTSA is spearheading imposition of the blockade, which entered its fifth day, and was called by a conglomeration of Assam-based organisations. AATTSA president, Prohlat Gowla speaking to The Morung Express asserted that the violence must stop. The ceasing of violence and assurance of security (from Nagaland) of Adivasis living along the border will pave the way for lifting the blockade, Gowla said. “We are willing to talk but assurance should come first from Nagaland that there will be an end to the killing of innocents and that it will not recur,” said Gowla. For dialogue, he said that organisations instead of suffering the indignity”, sources said. With Assam government remaining a mute spectator to the whole drama, Nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, has sought immediate intervention of the Centre to secure the release of the hostages. Talking to the Morung Express here at his private residence on Monday after an emergency meeting with his cabinet colleagues, the Nagaland CM hit out at the manner in which the Assam government was handling the issue. “I had talked to Tarun Gogoi on August 15, the day they were detained, and last night also. On both occasions, Gogoi assured that he would take care of the matter and secure the release of Paiwang’s entourage, but so far nothing has been done”, Zeliang said. He informed that on Monday, after Gogoi was prevented by Adivasi mob
imposing the blockade are willing to sit with the civil society from Nagaland. He however reiterated that for talks to happen, security should prevail in the border. On the inquiry committee set up by the Nagaland government, Gowla said that it is normal government procedure. He further informed that volunteers have blocked vehicular traffic to and from Nagaland on five important routes: Namtola and Haluating in Sibsagar district; Mariani in Jorhat; Rangajan in Golaghat and Bokajan in Karbi-Anglong. Several hundred goods carriers, including passenger vehicles remain stranded in the said locations. Gowla said that an NST bus, alongwith its passengers was stopped at Golaghat but assured that the passengers will not be harmed. Meanwhile, the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti staged a rally in front of Nagaland House, Guwahati on Monday. The rally was organised in protest against alleged violence committed by Nagas in the Golaghat-Wokha inter-state border.
from visiting the area to negotiate the release, the Assam chief minister on his way back to Dispur had informed his Nagaland counterpart that he would ask the police to act and release the nine persons. Alluding that this was a hostage issue, the Nagaland CM also disclosed that the Adivasi mob and organizations behind the detention of Paiwang’s entourage were demanding money from Nagaland government for their release. “They are demanding Rs. 15 lakhs as ex-gratia to every Adivasi killed in the recent clash in border areas (Ralan and adjoining villages), Rs. 5 lakhs to every injured Adivasi and Rs.7 lakhs per every house burnt down for reconstruction purpose”, Zeliang informed. Terming the demand as “unfair”, he said the issue of ex-gratia payment and compensation should
be done at the government level. Stating that Assam government had already announced ex-gratia payment to the Adivasi victims, Zeliang also hinted that the question of ex-gratia would come up only after the Enquiry Committee set up by the Nagaland state government submitted its report. “This is purely unlawful detention and Assam government is paralyzed. Such incidents will create a bad precedence”, Zeliang said and added that if the Centre doe not intervene immediately, there is bound to be ramifications in Centre-State relations. He further informed that the Nagaland government is in touch with the PMOs office, the Union Home Secretary and the Union Minister of state for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju. The Nagaland CM is scheduled to meet his Assam counterpart on August 21.
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