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The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 231
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The chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions
‘Human Rights and Social Justice de-valued in Naga society’
‘They will marry!’ BCCI
Jaitley stirs anger by making light of rape case [ PAGE 8]
–Alfred Adler
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irom is rearrested despite resistance
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
Ripple effect? I don’t know, but now all the senior party members want to tour USA, UK, RUSSIA and Mt Everest.
ImphAL, AuGust 22 (IANs): Activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who is on an indefinite fast in Manipur for nearly 14 years seeking repeal of a law giving sweeping powers to the armed forces to deal with terrorism, was again arrested Friday, two days after she was released following a court order. A police contingent arrived at Sharmila’s protest site Friday morning and took her to a government hospital in a police van before arresting her despite resistance from Sharmila, her mother and few supporters. “Sharmila re-arrested on charges of attempt to commit suicide. She was arrested by the police after she refused to undergo medical check-up or be force fed following her release from hospital prison Wednesday,” additional director general of Manipur police Santosh Macherla told reporters. He said: “The court in its order had said the responsibility of Sharmila’s health would remain with the state government. After she refused to be force-fed and undergo health check-up following her release, the police again arrested her.” A Manipur health department official said a doctor accompanied by paramedical staff with police arrived late Thursday night at the temporary shed here, which is now Sharmila’s protest site, but she was sleeping. Later, she refused to undergo a medical check-up. Manipur Deputy Chief Minis-
ter Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, said the government is taking care for her safety and health. The entry of media and others inside the heavily guarded Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences here, where Sharmila has been lodged, has been barred. The 42-year old human rights activist was released
demanding repeal of the AFSPA after the killing of 10 people allegedly by the paramilitary Assam Rifles at Malom near the Imphal airport Nov 2, 2000. She was charged under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to commit suicide) that provides for a year’s custody at a stretch. In view of her ill-health, Sharmila was lodged in a special ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal where the room in which she was confined was declared a sub-jail. Sharmila, who has been released and arrested again after every 364 days, is force-fed thrice a day. Despite her request to the Election Commission, she was not allowed to vote in the polls because the law does not allow those in custody to cast their ballot. The AFSPA provides unlimited powers to the security forces to shoot at sight, arrest people without a warrant or carry out searches without hindrance. It also insulates the security forces from legal processes for any action undertaken under the act. The AFSPA, described by critics as a “draconian law”, also allows the army and the paramilitary forces operating in areas declared as “disturbed” by the home ministry to take whatever action they deem fit against terrorists. The AFSPA is in force in whole or in parts of Manipur, Tripura, Assam and Nagaland, as also in Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh and in Jammu and Kashmir.
Court order says responsibility of Sharmila’s health would remain with the Manipur state government
India’s wettest state, to go dry - in 10 years
BANGALORE, AuGust 22 (REutERs): India’s wettest state is planning to dry out, drop by drop. The tropical state of Kerala, which has the country’s highest alcohol consumption per capita, is moving to become alcohol-free within 10 years. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, quoted in local media, said the state government was in favour of “total prohibition”. From next April, only 5-star hotels will be granted bar licences. A resident of Kerala typically drinks about 8.3 liters of alcohol per year, more than double the national average. Rum, whiskey and brandy are the state’s favourite tipples. Tourism officials worry the ban might hit the most successful industry in a state that markets itself as “God’s Own Country”. Tourism revenue totaled about $3.8 billion last year. Though hundreds of bars will close in the next few months, government-run liquor stores will be phased out more gradually over the next decade - a long time in politics.
Saturday, August 23, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
Kvitova reaches New Haven semis
Amid outward calm, climate of fear cements Thai Military rule
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In this aerial photo, rescuers search for survivors in the rubble in a mud-ridden residential area following a massive landslide in Hiroshima, western Japan, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. Heavy rain showers forecast are raising the risks of further landslides in Hiroshima, hindering efforts to locate the dozens of people missing after hills in several areas collapsed earlier this week. (AP Photo)
nagaland press body concerned; affirms principles of impartiality
DImApuR, AuGust 22 (mExN): The Nagaland Press Association (NPA) held a meeting on August 21 and discussed in details the present conditions under which the Fourth Estate is being perceived as a soft target by various individuals and groups. After thorough deliberation on the matters concerning the Fourth Estate, especially the recent accusations issued by the NNC (Royim Yimchunger) on Nagaland Post, the NPA has put on record its resentment and it protests against the language and manner in which the former had
‘Any threat or caution to a particular member of the media is a direct threat to the entire media fraternity’
publicly expressed itself. The NPA in a press note issued by its Vice President H. Chishi and General Secretary Along Longkumer has stated that “any misunderstanding can be addressed through dialogue” and therefore urged the NNC leadership to retract their statement against Nagaland Post. “Any threat or caution to a particular member of the media is a direct threat to the entire media fraternity”, the NPA
press note stated. Pointing out that the media fraternity in Nagaland has been working in the midst of many challenges and difficulties, the NPA asserted, “despite the constant pressures, threats and circumstances, the media has stood firm to the principles of impartiality.” “In its thirst to strengthen democracy in Nagaland, the print media in particular has created sufficient space for press statements,
rejoinders and counter-rejoinders to be published to support public discussions. It has also at times after due consideration withheld publications of materials, which it thought would be detrimental and inflammatory”, stated the NPA. The NPA also expressed that when the Fourth Estate is striving hard with limited resources and human resources to serve the society and upholding the values of truth, the recent intimidation by individuals, organizations - both overground and underground group - have discouraged the media fraternity as a whole.
Wednesday, a day after a district sessions court asked the Manipur government to free her from the makeshift jail set up in a hospital since November 2000. The “Iron Lady”, as Sharmila is known in Manipur, immediately after her release vowed to continue her fight to end the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA). She told reporters: “I will continue my struggle until the tough act is repealed. My struggle proves that I am right, justice has been upheld finally.” “I need people’s support,” said Sharmila. Imphal East District Sessions Judge A. Guneshwar Sharma while passing the judgment on a petition filed by Sharmila said it was just a claim that she wants to commit suicide. “No proof was established against the allegation of the authority. Hence, she cannot be kept under arrest and should be freed immediately,” the judge added. Sharmila has been on an indefinite hunger strike since Nov 4, 2000,
Border Row: Nagaland govt response is ‘very negligible’ Now, Pay and Use Toilet • RALH decides not to Wokha Police arrest Curfew lifted in offers gum for ‘change’ allow resettlement of Golaghat district Adivasi tenants in Ralan • RALH demands lifting of 144 CrPc from Lotha villages Morung Express News Dimapur | August 22
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Ralan Area Lotha Hoho (RALH) today stated that Ralan people are not fighting against the Ahoms. “We are not fighting with the Ahoms. We are defending against the attacks of Adivasis,” RALH officials asserted, while reiterating that the recent conflict is not a territorial issue, but one between landowners and tenants. The Hoho, in its meeting held in Dimapur, also affirmed that it will not allow the Adivasi tenants to resettle in Ralan. The resolution was made following news reports of Assam chief minister stating that one of the priorities in resolving the Assam-Nagaland tension was to send back the displaced people to their respective homes. The Hoho cautioned that the governments of Assam and Nagaland and individuals concerned will be solely responsible for eventualities created by resettlement of the displaced tenants. The Hoho officials, speaking to The Morung Express, said that around 500-600 Lotha villagers belonging to Wochan, S Wochan, Tchuchanphen, Yanlum, Soshan, Lishayan, Likyayan, L Chekhayan villages have been displaced. Wochan village
15 in Ralan incident
The Wokha police have so far arrested 15 persons in connection with the violence in the disputed Ralan border belt. The Wokha police today disclosed that the arrests were made on three different days. The first arrest occurred on August 14, two days after unrest gripped Uriamghat and Ralan sectors. According to the Wokha police, three people were arrested on August 14, six on August 15, and the remaining six on August 19. Fifteen criminal cases were registered at Ralan Police Station under the IPC and other special Acts, including the Arms and Explosives Acts. One unlicensed 12’ bore gun along with five cartridges was confiscated,
the Wokha police added. Three of the arrested people were forwarded to judicial custody pending investigation. On the situation in the border area, it was stated that security forces have taken control with the deployment of an additional 7 companies of Central forces in Sector C (Uriamghat), Sector D (Merapani) and Sector B (Ralan) on Friday. Night curfew continues to be in place in the Disputed Area Belt while NAP personnel are keeping round the clock vigil on the Nagaland side of the interstate border. With Assam pointing fingers on the involvement of Naga Political Groups in the border dispute, the Wokha police said that the reports cannot be substantiated as it cannot make allegations based on hearsay.
GuwAhAtI, AuGust 22 (IANs): Indefinite curfew imposed in Assam’s troubled Golaghat district, along the border with Nagaland, was lifted Friday for 12 hours as it remained calm with no protestors taking to the streets, officials said. The curfew was imposed in the district Wednesday after three people died when police opened fire at protestors, who took to the streets in Rongajan and Arengapathar areas in the district to denounce “police atrocities”. “Curfew was lifted for 12 hours Friday,” a senior district police officer said. The situation improved after union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju held discussion with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang here Thursday.
was completely razed down and schools in the area have also remained closed since August 12. The officials lamented that the Nagaland state government’s response is “very negligible”. They also stated that the security in the area is inadequate. Further, it decried that 144 CrPC is imposed only in Lotha villages and therefore demanded that the government should lift it. The officials alleged that Nagaland Police have been arresting Naga villagers “randomly” and asked the government to stop that.
Stating that for the last 20-30 years, the villagers of Ralan area had been maintaining very cordial relationship with the Adivasi tenants until the arrival of “Maoists” (All Adivasi National Liberation Army), RALH alleged that due to the “instigation/pressure” of AANLA, the Adivasi tenants stopped paying due share of paddies to the landowners. “They are instigating our tenants to wage a war against the Nagas under the guise of protecting them,” asserted one of the officials.
DEMANDS RALH has demanded the Nagaland State government to immediately provide relief to the displaced Naga villagers and compensation to those whose houses have been destroyed. It also demanded protection to the villagers, while the CRPF in the area be brought under the direct control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It also demanded additional State security forces to be stationed at Wochan, Yanlum, and Tchuchanphen villages.
Morung Express News Dimapur | August 22
Imti Longchar
“Even in hotel and cafes, after a meal, some amount is casually deducted for a gum packet or sweets before the Of late it is not only shopkeeprest of the change is handed ers and pharmacists who emover to customers,” she further phatically hand out chewing revealed. gum and cough drops to cusAccording to the observatomers in lieu of change after tion of an officer from a reputa purchase is made. In what ed Banking institution here, may be a first in India, literone of the main reasons ally speaking, a Pay and for scarcity of coin in NaUse toilet here in Digaland might be because mapur has caught on of hoarding of coins in the drift and has been places of worship. handing out lotte chew“Church, temples, ing gum and coupon as mosques here are known substitute for five rupee to hoard coins offered by change to people using worshippers and they its toilet. keep it in sacks in their Much to the constertreasuries instead of nation and surprise of circulating them,” he customers, in-charge of said adding they could the pay and use toilet at always make some arOld NST, Dimapur has rangement either with been handing out the alternate items from a Chewing gums and coupons: A fair ex- traders or the bank to exchange the coins with table drawer full of it, change for using toilet? (Morung Photo) and retorting to protesting ever, unlike other states where currency instead of just hoardcustomers to “bring change if the issue is usually about one ing them. or two rupee change, customWhile this may be a partial they wanted change.” If not the gum, the coupon ers here in Dimapur are ev- reality, there is also no denywhich bears the seal ‘Old NST eryday deprived up to rupees ing the allegation of hoarding Toilet’ (suggesting it had the eight change and even more of coins by traders as another blessing of the transport de- for a handful of unwanted reason for creating an artificial partment) can be substituted cough drops or a mouthful of shortage. Moreover, even if business for a cigarette or an item from chocolate in most shops. A government high establishments do swear that the line of shops outside the school teacher, Akumla said acute coin shortage is not their Old NST station. Cheekily, one of the shop- the ‘toffee for coin’ scenario intentional doing, the artificial keeper revealed they have “an in Dimapur has turned so scenario created in making it understanding for keeping incredibly customary that if customary for almost every the chewing gum and coupon customers protest and de- shop in town to nonchalantly at the pay and use toilet to be mand for change, they are offer an item in lieu of change substituted for rupees five.” only given a condescending cannot be justified and deThe NST department charge ‘don’t be so cheap’ look from serves intervention from appropriate authorities. Rs 5 per use of the toilet, which most shopkeepers. Dimapur | August 22
means people without the exact amount would have another unwanted item in their pocket for want of change. A ruse to earn double profit, offering sweets or certain items to customers as substitute for change on the pretext of coin scarcity is not a new story around the country. How-
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