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Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 236
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
Will quit politics if charges are proved:
Never thought I’ll play an athlete: Priyanka
[ PAGE 8]
[ PAGE 11]
Power dept to take up Tizu and Zungki hydro project [ PAGE 2]
Gaza ceasefire holding as focus turns to longer term [ PAGE 9]
By Sandemo Ngullie
Kyong Students reiterate position on oil exploration The Doctor finished the fullbody check up in 6 seconds. He said he was running late for work.
ENSF appeals to Chief Secretary Tuensang, augusT 27 (Mexn): The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) today appealed the Chief Secretary (CS), Government of Nagaland to implement the 25% job reservation policy “in letter and in spirit” and maintain an exclusive “roster system” for six backward tribes of Eastern Nagaland in the “Job Reservation Policy” of the state. In a “reminder letter” to the CS, released to the media through its President, Shahsha L Menhahu, and Speaker, Mongko NC Chang, the ENSF stated that, the Federation is sending the present “reminderletter”totheCSoffice as they are yet to receive anyresponsefromaprevious representation regarding the issue. Further, the Federation alsostatedthat,manydepartments are not implementing the State government’s “Job Reservation Policy” either by advertising limited posts or by making backdoor “adhoc” appointment resulting in “lost opportunity” for the weaker sections. Again, such practices have deprived the “deserving” students from backward tribes their “Fundamental Rights to Equality of Opportunity”, it added. It, therefore, appealed the CS to give necessary directive the all departments to strictly implement the “25% job reservation” in all the departments as approved by the State Government.
Thursday, August 28, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4 –Joseph Roux
Federer hits season 50 as teen duo rock US Open [ PAGE 12]
KsU: Any attempt to loot the nagas shall be resisted
reflections
‘Implement job reservation policy in letter and spirit’
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When unhappy, one doubts everything; when happy, one doubts nothing
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A child of a ragpicker drinks water from a plastic bag at a garbage dump in Guwahati, Wednesday, August 27. Some 800 million people in the country live in poverty, many of them migrating to big cities in search of a livelihood and often ending up on the streets. (AP Photo)
‘Streamline exam system to technical and allied courses’ NSF writes to the Chief Minister of Nagaland
KOHIMa, augusT 27 (Mexn): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has demanded the Government of Nagaland to streamline the examination system to various technical and allied courses conducted by the Technical Education Department vis-à-vis the recent B.Sc. Horticulture seat allocation imbroglio. In a representation to the Chief Minister of Nagaland signed by its president, Tongpang Ozukum, and general secretary, Esther Rhakho, the NSF noted “confusion in regard to nomination/selection of candidates against the seat allotted under State Reserved Quota and NEC Reserved Quota.” It informed that the State Common Selection Board in a meeting on December 10, 2010, agreed that Technical Education department will be the only Nodal Nominating department for study of various technical courses through State JEE. It was also recommended that a copy of the meeting minutes be sent to NEC as well as to all the HoDs under the Govt. of Nagaland for strict compliance. “However since no such information was notified or circulated to the Head of Departments or to North East Council
(NEC) there was confusion and misunderstanding between Technical Education and Horticulture department,” claimed the NSF. Moreover, it informed, there are other departments like Fisheries, Sericulture and Tourism which also receive letters from NEC for nomination of candidate to scientific study course under NEC reserved quota, “which it is learnt that the concerned department themselves nominates the candidates as it is being sponsored by the concerned department and not by Technical Education Department.” In the recent B.Sc Horticulture seat allotment imbroglio, the NSF stated that it detected “certain lapses and negligence on both Technical and Horticulture departments.” It has thus demanded that the Government “thoroughly investigate the root–cause for creating confusion and misunderstanding between the Technical Education and Horticulture department in allotting/nominating B.Sc Horti seat and bring out in white paper the lapses, neg-
ligence and misconduct of both the departments.” The Federation demanded for the Government to come out clear on “whether Technical department should select/nominate both State Reserved Quotas and NEC Reserved Quotas. If Technical department is entrusted to select/ nominate candidates for both State and NEC Reserved Quotas, then what about those departments which also select/ nominates candidates by themselves under NEC Reserved Quota. Government should unbiasedly apply the same yardstick to all the departments.” “In order to avoid such confusion and lack of communication between the departments in future, all Agri and Allied departments should be included in the State Common Selection Board as members,” the NSF stated, as also that the Government should “immediately convene a joint meeting of all the member departments of State Common Selection Board, Planning Department and all Agri and Allied departments to streamline the over-all selection/nomination system conducted by Technical Education department. NSF officials should also be invited to the joint meeting.”
WOKHa, augusT 27 (Mexn): The Kyong Students’ Union (KSU) has reiterated its position on the Oil exploration vis-à-vis the controversial award of an exploration permit to MOGPL. In that, it has stated that “Any attempt to loot the Nagas without following democratic norms and best practices shall be resisted today or in the days to come.” In a press release from its president, Amos Odyuo and general secretary, T. Phyobemo Kikon, the KSU stated again that it “does not have any discrimination against any oil firms willing to operate in Nagaland provided that the firm(s) are competent in all ways. The Union also makes it clear that there are no hidden agenda involved in the Union’s democratic resistance for the arbitrary award of permit to incompetent and inexperienced firm- MOGPL.” While the Union has stated that it remains steadfast in its approach that “the rich natural resources inherited from our ancestors are not blundered for cheap monetary gains,” it expressed disappointment of the “welfare government of the day,” which, as per the press note, “chose to respond to these legitimate demands of the people by imposing draconian laws and
using its military might to suppress the people’s movement, randomly assaulting peaceful student protestors and volunteers and forcefully launching the project amidst an environment of protest, mistrusts and objections.” The KSU expressed the reason, among others, it was opposed to the award of the exploration permit to the MOGPL is because it is the least qualified company “in terms of experience, resources and capability” if Section 12 of the Nagaland Petroleum and Gas Regulations were to be adhered to. “The Union cannot understand the motive behind the award of permit to MOGPL which was established only in 2012 having no experience in either upstream or downstream oil business anywhere in the world nor listed in any financial exchanges in the country,” it was informed. This is an indication, noted the Union, that the welfare government is “least concerned about the real welfare of the Nagas and the future generation, as the decision of the government in this matter is not guided by foresight nor determined by merit and efficiency.” The Union made it clear that it will give its “full support and cooperation for any healthy and inclusive development; but would not accept the version of development that Lothas has experienced in the past in the form of ONGC Changpang misfortune and the misadventures at Doyang Hydro Electricity Project.” The KSU once again stated that “while floating the EOI, the
government must invite only those companies that are fully integrated (deals with both upstream and downstream oil business), if not at least one company dealing with downstream activities must be contracted to operate refineries in Nagaland.” Highlighting issues of ‘production limits’ and the importance of setting up a refinery as well as a ‘Naga Petroleum Academy’ on Naga soil, the KSU also brought to front the necessity of ‘multiparty MoUs’ to be signed before the execution of project between the Government of Nagaland, the Apex Tribal Hoho, the Land Owners Union and the Company that incorporate employment policies, reservations and quotas thereof; minor contract concessions to the land owners; educational schemes and policies such as establishment of institutions, scholarships etc.; health care facilities; infrastructural development such as roads, housing, water and sanitation, power supply etc. It also asserted that ‘Environmental Impact Assessment’ must be made compulsory for all Oil and major Mining operations as stipulated by Indian Laws, and proper public hearings be conducted and reviewed before issuing the ‘No objection Certificate’ by the relevant agency in Nagaland. The KSU, finally, reiterated its earlier ‘ultimatum to debar the MOGPL from entering the soil of Wokha district to conduct any commercial activity.’ The Union stated it would “not be responsible for any loss or damage of property belonging to the company or its officials/employees.”
engineers abduction case: one arrested
DIMaPuR, augusT 27 (Mexn): Dimapur police today arrested one Longngoi Phom (35) in connection to the reported abduction of two engineers hailing from Andhra Pradesh from a hotel in Dimapur. The engineers were later released on payment of a ransom. A press note was issued by ASP/PRO, Dimapur informing about the case. Following a telephonic information from Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vijayawada City (Andhra Pradesh) on the July 29, 2014, an enquiry into the reported abduction was carried out by Dimapur Police. Investi-
gation led to the identification of one Longngoi Phom as being involved in the “abduction for ransom,” informed Dimapur police. Police investigating the case arrested the accused from Darogapathar, Dimapur, Wednesday morning for his involvement in the crime. The accused, identified to be from Tamlu village (Longleng), during interrogation, admitted to the crime and claimed that the Company in which the victims were employed owed him money and even after repeated demands to settle the payment, the Company was not releasing the amount. “On fearing that the
Company was closing its business in Nagaland, he resorted to the abduction to force them to make the payment for which he involved some cadres of the NSCN (IM) and abducted the engineers and confined them,” stated Dimapur police. The next day, on July 30, 2014, after the Company made a payment of Rs.20,00,000, including the money the Company owed him alongwith interest, the two abducted engineers were released. In this connection, Dimapur East P.S Case No. 176/2014 U/S 365/364 (A)/ 120 B IPC was registered for further investigation, stated the press note.
FFE for positive change in electioneering practices
Bye-Election To 11th Northern Angami- II A/C Chizokho Vero Kohima | August 27
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In order to ensure free and fair election in the forthcoming byeelection to the 11th Northern Angami-II Assembly Constituency, Forum for Fair Election (FFE), 2014 for 11th NA- II A/C was launched here today and gave a clarion call to the people for mass participation in free and fair bye-election. The seat of 11th NA- II A/C has been vacant since former chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s election to Lok Sabha. The notification for holding bye-election to the A/C is expected soon. FFE was formed by like-minded persons from various walks of life, with a vision to elect representatives to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly through free and fair election, by making people aware of their voting rights and educating them about the basics of election process. The main objective is to let people elect the right representative for which the Forum made an appeal to the electorate to exercise their vote with conscience during byeelection. It also aims to bring an end the malpractices during election.
PLEASE DO • • • • • • •
Please do vote for God fearing, principled and capable candidate Please do cast your own vote to avoid proxy voting Please do vote with conscience Please do maintain one person one vote and secret ballot Please do exercise voting right with honesty Please do maintain Christian principle and ethical values Requests church leaders to boldly preach the right message about election and that malpractices are sinful • Requests village leaders to enforce strict rule to facilitate free and fair election
PLEASE DON’T • • • • • • •
Please don’t judge a candidate by his/her wealth Please don’t be influenced by money power Please don’t sell or buy votes Please don’t give or take money to influence vote Please don’t tamper your age or indulge in proxy voting Please don’t indulge in violence and don’t create nuisance Please don’t indulge in booth capturing
The Forum works as a team to facilitate all the intending candidates and to let them uphold their pre-election commitment. It stated that over the years it had experienced the ugly face of elections and the evil practices which are eroding society, such as booth-capturing, age tempering, proxy voting, the influence of muscle and gun power, buying/ selling of votes, intimidations, inter-village, inter-khel, inter-clan and group clashes, establishment of party camps resulting in social evils, rampant distribution of alcohol and other intoxicants, flashing
out false propaganda etc. “It is never too late to spread the message of free and fair election to our society that lives with a conscience,” the Forum said, adding it is the right time for the people of the constituency to bring a positive change in the electioneering practicesduringtheupcomingbye-election. FFE desires to instill two messages in the minds of the electorates throughthemovement.Firsttocreate awareness about democratic ideals, andsecond,reaffirmeveryelectorate about Christian principles. “This movement is not a movement of a few but it should be a
mass participation in free and fair election which will decide the fate of our leaders and ultimately, the people,” the Forum stated. The Forum appealed the electorate to adhere “Please do” & “Please don’t” to bring a change in the election practices. (See Box). Apart from using media in propagating the Forum’s vision and strategy, FFE will use churches and village organisation platforms to disseminate their message, to interact with elders/leaders of the constituency and to organise a common platform, if need arises. Earlier, dedicating the launching of FFE, Rev. Zawhevolie Mhasi, chairman, advisory board, ACRCC stressed on the need to give collective effort to bring positive change. Rev. Dr. Rachiilie Vihienuo, pastor UBC Kohima said corrupt elections result in poor governance, increased poverty, crime and social instability. He added that whatever malpractices happened in the past should not be repeated and must be put to stop henceforth. FFE core committee member Kekhriengulie Theiinuo briefed the background of FFE while Dr. Kevizakie Rio, FFE core committee member chaired the function. Medoneiu Usou, executive secretary PBCC pronounced a prayer while Ruokuovotuo Pfiisenuo, Naga Idol 2007 presented a special number.
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