December 16th, 2016 by The Morung Express

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FriDAY • December 16 • 2016

DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 345 • 12 PAGes • 5

T H e

ESTD. 2005

P o W e R

Fundamental violations of human rights always lead to people feeling less and less human ‘China installs weapons systems on artificial islands’ PAGE 09

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

Have you been telling them about corruption in your village? uh oh, look at them, they’re getting ready to take action!

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 Do you think that reservation for women in local urban bodies will affect Naga customary practices? Yes

others

24 hours KA bandh on Dec. 17 Karbi anglong, December 15 (mexn): The Hill Tribes Protection Forum (HTPF) has called for a 24 hours Karbi Anglong total bandh with effect from 5:00am of December 17. The Forum informed today that this is in protest against the bestowing of Scheduled Tribe Hills status to the Bodos in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam, a commitment given to the Bodos by the Government of India under Clause 8 of the 2003 Bodo Accord. It was also informed that NH 36 and NH 39 will be affected due to the bandh and travel precautions should be accordingly taken.

SC bans sale of liquor near all highways new Delhi, December 15 (ianS): The Supreme Court on Thursday banned the sale of liquor within 500 meters on either side of national and state highways across the country. A bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Thakur said that all liquor vendors holding licenses for selling liquor would continue to do so till their licenses were valid or till March 31, 2017, whichever was earlier. The licenses would not be renewed. The order came on a batch of petitions including those by the states and NGOs.

Officers’ Hills bags cleanest ward

o F

T R u T H

— Aung San Suu Kyi

Perfect 10 for Chelsea, Ibra rescues Man Utd

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PAGE 12

Anti-corruption rally hit by tear gas and water cannon

• Nagaland Police uses excessive force on peaceful protestors • ACAUT Nagaland calls for CBI enquiry and arrest of scam accused

mulgated in the State. Appalled by the use of force, a press release from ACAUT Nagaland stated that the Nagaland Police had taken “unlawful action” by curbing a fundamental right of the citizens (Right to Freedom of Expression) and thus needs “thorough training on the limits of their authority.”

Morung Express news Dimapur | December 15

In a show of poor collective decision making, field officers of the Nagaland State Police decided to hit protestors at the ACAUT Nagaland rally with water cannon and tear gas munition here today. The Police admitted later that “orders from the top” had made clear that the ACAUT public rally should not be held at any cost. Addl. Dy. Commissioner of Police/PRO of Dimapur Police today said that the decision to hit protestors gathered to address a peaceful rally was taken collectively by field officers as permission to hold the rally was previously denied by the Dimapur district administration. The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland members had gathered at the Khermahal junction in Dimapur today after the Commissioner of Police promulgated Sec. 144 CrPc (curfew) within 100 metres radius of the Dimapur City Tower in the morning of December 15. The activists were demanding unconditional release of three ACAUT Nagaland members who were arrested on December 12 and protest-

senior ACAuT nagaland member KK sema stood his ground defending the people’s right to protest, even as state Police forces used tear gas and a water cannon against protestors at a public rally against rampant corruption in the state on Thursday, December 15. (Posted on Facebook) (More photos on page 2)

(lEFT) nagaland state Police in Dimapur is seen here using water cannon and tear gas to disperse a peaceful assembly of protestors on Thursday, December 15. (RiGHT) Protestor’s confront police personnel during the public rally. (Morung Photos)

ing the unabated corruption in Nagaland State. As business and traffic went on per usual in the curfew zone, the Nagaland Police focused its strength outside the curfew perimeter where the activists had shifted their rally. Having

made two announcements for the public to disperse, the Police attempted to grab banners and microphones. Finally, they resorted to lashing out at the peaceful assembly with water jets and tear gas ammunition, apart from riot police ag-

gressively charging at them. Terming the gathering as “unlawful assembly,” the Dimapur Police justified its action stating that it can use any means possible to disperse the same despite knowing of the presence of women, children and the

elderly in the public. Injured women were later taken to a nearby hospital by activists. In response, ACAUT Nagaland activists stated that if the State is so shaken by the law and order situation in the State, then President’s Rule should be pro-

‘This is just the beginning’ ACAUT Nagaland activists remained steadfast through the day. Despite taking direct hits from the water cannon, surrounded by tear gas shelling, senior ACAUT Nagaland member Kekhiye K Sema stood his ground. He maintained that the people have the right to protest and challenged the Police to arrest him. “This is just the beginning,” said Sema, while addressing a press conference at Hotel Tragopan later. The “brute force” used by the State today showed that the present government intends to continue the “deprivation of our society” and does not want any public opposition to the same, Sema added. In two resolutions taken after the rally, the ACAUT Nagaland called for a CBI enquiry into the PDS management system under the Food and Civil Supplies Department in Nagaland State before January 31, 2017. It also called for the immediate arrest of R Zumomo Tsanglao, Tinku and Nirmal. Additionally, the ACAUT Nagaland has decided to file Public Interest Litigation(s) against the Food Corporation of India,

Nagaland State Department for Food and Civil Supplies and the Chief Minister of Nagaland. Noting that the time for silence is over, KK Sema said that the Chief Minister’s office is being misused in Nagaland State and this cannot be tolerated. According to information available with the ACAUT Nagaland, the Department of Food and Civil Supplies has been controlled by the families of a handful of people (who are currently named in the ACAUT Nagaland FIR in the PDS scam case) for two generations, and by protecting them the Government of Nagaland is promoting “father to son inheritance corruption” in Nagaland. “The brutality and abuse of the powers by state government using its state machinery to crush the voice of the general public, voicing out against corruption is the strongest proof of corrupted government and further confirmation of Chief Minister trying to cover his corruption activities in the Food and civil supplies department in collusion with faceless conspirators operating within and from outside the state of Nagaland,” ACAUT Nagaland maintained in its press release. Bail hearing today Meanwhile, bail proceedings to release the three ACAUT Nagaland activists currently lodged in Dimapur Sub-Jail have begun, informed ADCP/PRO of Dimapur Police. Their bail hearings are set to take place on December 16, Friday, at the Dimapur DC Court.

GPRN/NSCN demands high Public protest encroachment of public playground level inquiry into death of cadre

DimaPUr, December 15 (mexn): The GPRN/NSCN today demanded a high level inquiry into the death of one of its cadres who passed away on December 13. A press note from the MIP of the GPRN/NSCN informed that the deceased, one Lt. Tangtao Konyak was apprehended on October 22 along with three other cadres by the 35 Assam Rifles stationed at Naganimora. The cadres, according to the GPRN/NSCN, were later handed over to authorities under Mon Police Station. The three other cadres included Captain Wangyok Konyak, Corporal Khongkang Konyak and Corporal Wangying Konyak. The GPRN/NSCN claimed that while under custody in district jail, Konyak “faced serious health issues but unfortunately timely medical treatment was denied and bail application was also applied to the district administration for medical treatment but was declined for reasons best known to them.”

“The circumstances leading to his death remains unclear,” it stated, while alleging that there was a “clear case of human rights violation by jail authority and district administrative.” “Those responsible must be identified and the guilty punished to uphold truth, justice and equality,” it stated. Meanwhile, the GPRN/NSCN further alleged that the cadres were detained “without any documents, arms or ammunition save mobile phones and sim cards.” “Later 35 AR alleged that the GPRN/ NSCN members were arrested possessing following items: 2 9 mm pistols (Smith n Wesson), 2 Magazines, 4 live rounds, 15 extortion notes and 3 mobile handsets along with SIM cards,” the GPRN/NSCN said. “The concocted story which the AR planted is nothing new,” the GPRN/NSCN alleged, while asking the 35 AR to “respect Ceasefire Ground Rules and stop using baseless allegations to arrest members of GPRN/NSCN.”

3 Manipur police personnel killed, 9 injured in ambushes newmai news network Imphal | December 15

Three Manipur police personnel were killed and another nine injured in two separate attacks by suspected militants on Imphal-Moreh road in the newly created Tengnoupal district early on Thursday. The first ambush occurred at Lokchao around 6:20 am, killing one police commando from Thoubal Police Station. The convoy of at least three police vehicles on (ROP) duty came under fire from the heavily armed men, according to a police report. The cops were heading for Tengnoupal district headquarters by keeping vigil ahead of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s visit to the

newly created district to inaugurate it when the fatal attack happened. Of the three personnel, two succumbed to their injuries at a hospital, according to official reports. Two police sub-inspectors were among the injured. The unidentified armed men targeted the rear vehicle in the ambush. The cops fired in retaliation but the assailants fled the area. No casualties on the side of the suspected militants were reported. According to initial reports, in the second ambush that took place at Bongyang around 8 am, one commando personnel was killed on the spot when another group of suspected militants opened heavy fire on them using sophisticated weapons. Bongyang is located about 20 km

from Moreh. Nine cops, some of them critically, were injured in the two fatal attacks. They are being treated at Shija Hospital, Imphal. Sources said conditions of four personnel are said to be serious. After sending in reinforcements to the spots, a massive hunt for the suspected militants was launched by a combined team of Assam Rifles and police. No arrests were made so far. There have been no claims of responsibility for the incidents believed to be coordinated attacks. Chief Minister Ibobi condoled the killing and injuring of state police personnel in the two separate fatal incidents which he termed it as ‘anti-national and anti-people act of militants’.

Residents of northern Angami Colony (Walford) along with leaders and representatives of all northern Angami villages under banner of ‘Chakhroma northern Angami Kuda union’ at the protest rally against encroachment of a public playground on December 15.

Morung Express news Dimapur | December 15

Residents of Northern Angami Colony (Walford) and representatives from all 24 villages under Northern Angami villages under the banner of ‘Chakhroma Northern Angami Kuda Union’ (CNAKU), on Thursday staged a protest rally at Northern Angami Colony Public playground to oppose encroachment of the public ground. The protest rally was held against the backdrop of the ongoing construction of ‘Working Women Hostel’ initiated by the Northern Angami Public Organization (NAPO), threatening to wipe out half of the playground. More than 300 people holding placards and banners exhibited their solidarity to the protest rally and endorsed the decision of CNAKU to serve a month-long ultimatum to contractors of the hostel to remove all construction materials from the site or face legal action. A host of leaders from Northern Angami based in Dimapur in their

speeches also appealed to NAPO to shift the site of the hostel. A pioneer of the colony, Kevise Sogotsu, in his address said CNAKU or residents of Northern Angami Colony were not against NAPO for initiating any developmental works in the colony, but not at the cost of the playground. In an impassioned speech, Kevise said for residents of the colony, the playground has become more than a symbol of a religious site as the playground has served as the venue for many tribes and communities to host various events including tribal festivals, Christmas programmes and other social gatherings. “Besides these, this playground has converted many youths from the colony who were into alcohol and drugs to turn into new leaves and all along provided a green field for children to bask in the sun”, Kevise said. Kevise cautioned that the residents of the colony will oppose tooth and nail if the playground was demolished for the sake of money. Former DMC Vice Chairperson, DP Angami, said the public ground

is not just for the Northern Angami people but even for everyone. He said if NAPO had to bring a big project for the welfare of the people, then why in the middle of the ground. “We are not against the project but the site of the project is not in the welfare of the people. Today all those gathered here share the sentiment of the protest. We are only here to appeal to our parent body (NAPO) that they will bring a mutual understanding which will be beneficial to every constituting body. This ground is very important to us and we must prevent it from vanishing”, DP said. An elder of Kuda, Er Keneilhoulie Keditsu, said “This issue is more like a family misunderstanding and sometimes children are required to correct their parents in times of certain keys decisions. Our forefathers have come up with visionary plans to help the future generations. Working women hostel is a requirement and we are not against it but there may have been some communication gap when the project started. If we approach them (NAPO) maybe they’ll understand the significance of the ground for the people of the colony.” Former bureaucrat, Vihielie Sekhose, said “Our former leaders have kept this land for public gathering and other important and mega events. This is purely a legal matter because some people take law into their hands and we can do the same but we must take the issue to the law. This is a public land and like every village and region there are public lands which are managed by the public and public leaders cannot turn it into their whims and wishes when they are in power.” Chairperson of the protest rally, Luola-o Usou, in his summing up said CNAKU will send another memorandum to NAPO appealing the latter to relocate the project to another site.

FriDAY 16•12•2016

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Officers’ Hills bags cleanest ward Morung Express News Kohima | December 15

Senior ACAUT Nagaland activist Kekhiye K Sema addressing people at the beginning of the ACAUT public rally on December 15 at Khermahal junction, Dimapur, even as Nagaland State Police made hostile advances to stop the rally. (Morung Photo)

Nagaland Police makes an attempt to grab a microphone from ACAUT Nagaland activists at the rally as the latter address corruption based issues plaguing Nagaland State. (Morung Photo)

The Kohima Municipal Council held its Pre Christmas celebration cum Annual wards/shops felicitation programme on December 15 at the KMC Conference Hall with Khrienuo C. Metha, Commissioner & Secretary, Home Department (RR & NSDMA) as the chief guest. Lauding the winning wards for being able to inspire the residents and help them understand the importance of cleanliness. Khrienuo C. Metha also stressed on the importance and necessity of sanitation in Kohima. Highlighting KMC’s effort to keep Kohima clean, Metha noted that the trash pickers are the unsung heroes in Kohima and said, “They are the ones coming in trucks, picking our garbage and disposing them. Therefore we are all duty bound to dispose off our garbage, unusable items in a civilized manner.” With litter becoming a huge environmental issue, Metha pointed out the complacency and indif-

Children of Jo Foundation Inclusive School presenting a song during the Kohima Municipal Council Pre Christmas celebration cum Annual wards/shops felicitation programme held on December 15 at the KMC Conference Hall. (Morung Photo)

ference of residents in Kohima who continue to liter the despite fully understanding what litter does to the environment. “Wherever there is litter, that place attracts more litter. Research and experiences has shown us littering is a result of individual behavior. Wherever the community is looks towards cleanliness, we see that they have a much more inviting locality and improved lifestyle,” said Metha who also shared her views on the changing lifestyles and attitudes of Kohima town. Earlier there were rivers within the town

which has now been reduced to drainages. Further, residents would rather choose to walk than travel on vehicles a few decades ago but today the changing lifestyles in the capital has seen more vehicles than pedestrians. “Our greed for land has narrowed our rivers into drainages,” said Metha who maintained that the main causes of littering are laziness, and ignorance which can be attributed to poor parenting and education. You being influencers of your area, identify a walking street. Appealing the Ward leaders to set the

example to its residents to go back to walking as much as possible, Metha hoped to look forward to a much cleaner and better town to live in, in the year 2017. The award for the cleanest wards was bagged by Officers Hill Colony (First), PR Hill (Second) and Agri/ Forest Colony (Third). The representative from PR Hill colony shared the commitment of the ward towards the beautification of Kohima city and further challenged all the residents and wards of Kohima to give their best and make Kohima the best and cleanest place to live in.

Meanwhile, the representative from Agri/Forest Colony stated that one of its major endeavors in the colony has been sanitation following the rules and regulations provided by the KMC. Kovi Meyase also pointed out that this year the basic requisites for choosing the award were not just the Christmas decorations and illuminations, but sanitation and cleanliness in the wards year round. The award for the cleanest shop was given to K. Florist Taxi Stand followed by United Traders, Main town bagging the second prize and City Grains, Themezie bagging the third prize. The programme was chaired by Kovi Meyase, Administrator, KMC and the prayer was invoked by Tiatoshi Longkumer, Youth Director KABA. The Christmas Message was delivered by Jeyalo Mesen, Pastor, Living Word Church, Perizie Colony. A special melody was presented by the children of Jo Foundation Inclusive School, Winner of the 2016 Kohima Disability Day singing competition.

Bhavan to be Hearing aid distribution camp at DDRC held Raj made accessible

Unprovoked, the Nagaland State Police begin to disperse the rally using water cannons, a strategy used by the State twice already in a span of a couple of months on unarmed protesting citizens. (Morung Photo)

This is immediately followed by tear gas shelling of the public by the Nagaland State Police. Again, this action was taken without any provocation from the protestors even as they remained beyond the curfew zone (imposed on 100 mts. radius of the Dimapur City Tower). (Morung Photo) A mother at the protest site was injured after the Dimapur Police used violence on the protesting citizens at today’s rally. (Morung Photo)

DimaPUr, December 15 (mexN): A diagnostic and fitment camp for the hearing impaired was held on December 13 and 14 at the DDRC, District Hospital, Dimapur. The camp was jointly organized by the DDRC and AYJNISHD (D)-Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for Speech and Hearing Disabilities, Mumbai. Dr. Imlitemsu Ozukum, MD (PMR) in a press released informed that a team led by Ranjit Bhattacharya, Director, SERD, AYJNISHD (D), Mumbai, and three technical staff from its Kolkata centre, Anupam Das (Vocational Counsellor), Himanshu (Audiometrist) and Palash (Audiometrist) provided the camp with support from the DDRC staff. Altogether, 76 (Seventy-six) persons with disabilities with hearing impairment were assessed and distributed Digital Programmable BTE

and barrier free

Himanshu, Palash, K. Ela and Dr. Imlitemsu Ozukum during the diagnostic and fitment camp for the hearing impaired held at the DDRC, District Hospital, Dimapur.

Hearing Aids free of cost. Dr. Imlitemsu Ozukum, MD (PMR), i/c DDRC, District Hospital, Dimapur also said that this camp for the PwDs was initiated by the DC, Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome, who is also the Chairman, District Management Team of the DDRC. He

Rio apprises PM on Good Governance Day

Kohima, December 15 (mexN): With regard to the Government's observance of Good Governance Day which falls on December 25, MP Neiphiu Rio has apprised the Prime Minister. The MP said that while the observance of Good Governance Day is a welcome initiative, the date on which it falls has hurt the sentiments of Christians. “You are aware that December 25th is the birthday of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. It is also a statewide official holiday and the majority of the population

attends Christmas church services and participates in events that commemorate and celebrate the spirit of Christmas,” Rio mentioned in his letter to the PM. He also reminded that Nagaland is a predominantly Christian State with more than 90 percent of the population being followers of Christianity. The sentiments of the people have been negatively impacted and the apex Church organisations, led by the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) have strongly opposed the obser-

LRD shares gifts during Advent Christmas Our Correspondent

Kohima | December 15

The Department of Land Resources today offered gifts in the form of blanket to all the drivers, peon, sweepers, mali and electricians of the department through its Advent Christmas programme here. The amount generated through offering during the programme will also go to poor patients’ fund of the Naga Hospital, Kohima. Land Resource Department secretary Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, in his greetings was appreciative of the department officers and staff for putting Land Resources Department offer gifts to staff during Advent Christ- their tireless effort to improve the livmas in Kohima on December 15. (Morung Photo) ing standard of the people and to boost

the rural economy. He also called upon each and every individual to forgive and forget the past misdeed if any through this Christmas. Asangla Phom in Christmas message said that Christmas teaches us joy, peace, giving and loving. In this, she challenged everyone “to re-affirm our spiritual life,” and renew the channel of relationship. The programme commenced with a prayer by land resources department director Hoto Yeptho. Topeni and Imli presented special numbers. Land resources department deputy director N. Kehie pronounced benediction prayer. The programme was followed by bonfire and dinner.

Sechü Zubza Youth Organization attain 50 years Our Correspondent

Kohima | December 15

Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio today complimented the Sechü Zubza Youth Organization (SZYO) for attaining 50 glorious years and numerous achievements made during the last fifty years. Addressing the SZYO 50th Day as part of 50th anniversary celebrations of SZYO at WAPO Ground, Sechü Zubza, Rio was appreciative that the youth came together in unison to compete in various discipline of games and sports through this 50th anniversary celebrations, which kicked started on December 9 and concluded today.

He called upon the youth to involve in the field of games and sports with sincerity and commitment and take it as profession. Regretting that the Naga youth are yet to make its presence well in the national and international level, he called upon the sportspersons to rededicate themselves to reach to such levels. He said the government is all out to nurture the talents of the Naga youth and promote games and sports in the state. Rio assured that the government is with them and urged upon them to perform well. He also unveiled the SZYO 50th anniversary monolith, which

MP Neiphiu Rio and others after unveiling SZYO 50th anniversary monolith at Sechii Zubza on December 15. (Morung Photo by Chizokho Vero)

was dedicated by Pastor Khriengulie Kuotsu, Sechü Zubza Baptist Church. Earlier, SZYO president Megoneituo Kielienyii delivered presidential address while Sechii Zubza

thanked the Deputy Commissioner, SDO (C) James Swu, MS of District Hospital, Dimapur, Dr. CW Tungoe, Dr. Manie (ENT specialist), audiometrist Michael, and the Prodigals Home CBR workers led by Obed Yanthan for their involvement and support in the success of the camp.

Village Council chairman Mhasikhotuo Zhiinyii shared greetings. T. Jalie Kielienyii, former president SZYO pronounced elderly blessings. Another former president Seyievil-

hou Sirie also spoke on the occasion. Organizing committee convenor Petevi Meyase chaired the function while vote of thanks was proposed by SZYO advisor Vitsiakho Meyase.

vation of Good Governance Day on the most auspicious day for Christians. “These Church organisations reflect the feelings and sentiments of the people at all levels of civil society,” he added. In view of the above and also to respect the sentiments of minorities, especially Christians throughout the country, the MP suggested that Good Governance Day be observed on another appropriate day or State Governments should be permitted to observe this official occasion on an alternate day.

Kohima, December 15 (mexN): Nagaland Governor PB Acharya has said that the Raj Bhavan Kohima complex will be made accessible and barrier free. The Governor gave this assurance in a meeting with disability activist Diethono Nakhro who heads the disability advocacy group CAN-Nagaland (Connect Ability Netwrok-Nagaland). CAN-Nagaland in a press release said that in response to an appeal made by the disability activist for the Raj Bhavan complex to be made fully barrier-free as part of the Accessible India Campaign so that it can become an example that leads to a more accessible and enabling Nagaland, the Governor immediately instructed his Secretary to initiate action in this regard. Various other disability issues in the State were also discussed at length and the Governor assured his full support to ensure that no citizen of the State is denied full and equal opportunity and participation in society. Nakhro, on behalf of people living with disabilities, has appreciated and thanked the Governor for his support and quick response and hoped that more such positive action would be forthcoming from the state leadership.

Friday 16•12•2016

NORTH-EAST 3

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Nagas in Manipur protest creation of new districts Newmai News Network Imphal | December 15

Nagas carried out protest rallies today in the 'four Naga districts' in Manipur to register their rejection to the creation of the 7 new districts by the Manipur Government. The rallies were organised under the banner of the United Naga Council (UNC). The rallies concluded with the submission of memorandums to the Governor of Manipur through their respective deputy commissioners. At Senapati, the rally was well responded by the people at the headquarters followed by a public meeting held Traffic Point Senapati. The event was led by leaders Naga People's Organisation (NPO), SDWA, SDSA , Mao Council, Maram Council, Poumai Naga Union, Thagal Union, Zeliangrong Union (Senapati Zone). Addressing the mammoth gathering, former UNC President KS Paul

Leo said that the economic blockade on national highways and ban on construction works on national projects were launched by the Naga people from November 1 in protest against the preparation of the Government of Manipur to bifurcate Nagas' ancestral lands through declaration of Sardar Hills and Jiribam as full-fledged districts on the pretext of administrative convenience and development needs. Leo added that for the Naga people, the land and people are inseparable. At Tamei in Tamen-

glong district, the rally was held under the aegis of the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC). Large number of Liangmai people walked for several kilometres before pledging to endorse the declaration of the UNC consultative meeting of December 12, 2016. The rally at Tamei also resolved that the Liangmai people "will not be part of the new districts of Kangpokpi and Jiribam". Another resolution said that 'all the Liangmai ancestral territories' should come under a single 'administrative district'. A large number of people also

turned out at Chandel district headquarters to participate in the rally. The Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO) led the rally. Similar good response was also witnessed at Ukhrul. The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) leaders arranged the rally where several leaders spoke on the occasion. In Tamenglong district headquarters, the Zeliangrong Baudi organised the rally. Having rallied together in protest on this day, a memorandum each was submitted to the Governor of Manipur through the re-

spective deputy commissioners. In the memorandum, the UNC urged the Manipur Governor to intervene to ensure that Nagas and their ancestral land are not "sliced off and tagged" onto the new districts as minorities. The memorandum also said that the ongoing IndoNaga dialogue and 'Framework Agreement' are for a settlement, and that, "it would go against this very spirit to allow the Government of Manipur to vitiate the environment for a peaceful settlement". The intensifying "com-

2 ULFA cadres killed

munal design" of the Government of Manipur must not be allowed to ignite the explosive situation, the UNC memorandum stated. "We urge you, Madam Governor, therefore, to recommend immediate imposition of President's Rule in the State of Manipur to ensure the protection of democratic rights of the Nagas and to contain the explosive situation." The UNC further urged the Governor to release UNC President Gaidon Kamei, and Information and Publicity Secretary, SK. Stephen, unconditionally. "As the Central Government’s representative in the state and grounded in the reality of the state, we urge you to impress upon the Central Government to expedite the settlement of the Indo-Naga issue to pre-empt the Government of Manipur from further fragmentation of the ancestral land and the further deprivation of rights and opportunities of the Naga people," it added.

Kohima, December 15 (mexN): The Assam Rifles have killed two ULFA (I) cadres and further arrested 6 others in the ongoing combing operations in Changlang District of Arunchal Pradesh. The slain militants with the six unarmed and newly recruited cadres were moving towards an undisclosed location next to Indo - Myanbar border, a press release from the Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) informed. All the arrested individuals – including two teenagers, were handed over to Police.

Christmas

BOOK FAIR Venue: O.M. Books 12 – 24 City Tower Junction, Circular Road December 2016

The CJNCSD in a statement further decried the forcible inauguration of Kangpokpi, Jiribam and Tengnoupal as new districts despite the staunch opposition from the Nagas and consequently appealed UNC to convene Naga people’s convention to declare the Naga areas in Manipur as a separate state and run the existing institutions as per Naga customary law and practices. It called upon all Tribal Hohos to burn down every Manipuri textbook and appealed them to notify every educational institution for immediate termination of Manipuri/meiteilon as the

medium of instruction in schools. CJNCSD further implored all the Tribal Hohos to henceforth boycott any posting or deputation of any valley-based Government employees to any Government institutions in the Naga areas. Taking a jibe at, what it termed, “deliberate silence” of GoI in the creation of the seven new districts in Manipur, the Joint Naga bodies based in Delhi maintained that the act “amounts to redrawing of Naga boundaries without any constitutional mandate and jurisdiction” and thus questioned if GoI’s sole intention is to re-

Get on with investing in insurgencyfree North East: Mizoram MP New Delhi, December 15 (iaNS): The northeast today is virtually free from the problem of insurgency and investors should look at exploiting the multiple opportunities the region offers, Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram Ronal Sapa Tlau has said. Speaking at an open house discussion on "Act East Now" organised by Assocham here on Wednesday, Tlau said his state suffered from insurgency for 20 years starting till 1986. "People tend to think that the northeast is still facing the problem of insurgency," he said. "But Mizoram is today the most peaceful region in the country now." The Congress MP said though Mizoram was still 20 years behind the rest of the country in terms of development, the issue of connectivity with the state was by and large being solved by three big projects - broad gauge railhead, rail connectivity from Kolkata and the Kaladan multimodal transport project connecting Sittwe port in Myanmar with the state. He identified four agricultural and horticultural products investors could invest in his state - asparagus, passion fruit, dragon fruit and kiwi. He also said that bamboo was another sector that could be exploited in the region with its uses in furniture, flooring and textiles. The CPI-M Lok Sabha member from Tripura, Jitendra Choudhury, said each northeastern state had a variety of fruits and vegetables "but the amount we produce today can be increased by at least 10 times". He pointed out that Tripura was the second largest producer of rubber in the country after Kerala. Given the region's biodiversity and variety of culture, Choudhury said tourism was another area

that could be developed in a major way. He also stressed on the power generation capacity of the region with Tripura and Meghalaya already being self-sufficient and Arunachal Pradesh having the potential to generate 100,000 MW. Choudhury said that with its large Englishspeaking manpower, the northeast was ideal for the IT industry and BPO sector. In this connection, he reminded the participants that after Chennai and Mumbai, Tripura now has the third internet gateway in the country via Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. The Congress Rajya Sabha Member from Assam, Bhubaneswar Kalita, said that prior to independence, the British invested in sectors like tea and oil in his state despite there being virtually no infrastructure then. "We have the world's oldest oil refinery (in Digboi). We developed all these even when there was no infrastructure," Kalita said. He said that the northeast has a lot of potential in terms of natural

resources and human resource but lamented that after independence, foreign direct investment had not come to the region. The Congress Lok Sabha member from Meghalaya, Vincent Pala, said that in agriculture "we earlier looked at only rice and maize, but now we are growing cash crops and flowers". Stating that airports in the northeast were getting modernised, he sought a proposal from the business community for drafting an ease-of-doing business policy in the region. Earlier, in his opening remarks, D.S. Rawat, Secretary General of Assocham, said that his organisation had opened a liaison office in the northeast and he personally had visited every state in the region. He stressed on herbal development and entrepreneurial training, particularly in the food processing sector. Other areas he focussed on were small and medium enterprises, organic farming and solar energy.

tract on the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement “by deploying additional armed forces in aid of the unconstitutional and antiNaga policies of Ibobi Government.” Questioning the wisdom of Manipur Government as to how it expects UNC to call off the ongoing agitation if it does not release the two UNC leaders and recall the formation of the new seven districts, the CJNCSD insisted that Ibobi’s project not only disrespects the aspiration of the Nagas, but also insults the Naga people. “The Nagas will resort to any democratic means of protest

available in defending their land, identity and culture as land and the Nagas are inseparable,” the committee maintained. It expressed regret at the stance taken by valleybased civil organisations by resorting to violent counter-blockade targeting the Naga community and reiterated that the Nagas have nothing to do with any particular individual or community. “The issue is between and only between the State and the Nagas alone,” the CJNCSD stated. In this regard, CJNCSD sought the immediate intervention of the government of India before the

Another rhino killed in Assam, horn taken

WANTeD

Guwahati, December 15 (iaNS): Poachers have killed yet another one-horned rhino in Assam's Kaziranga National Park and took away its horn, officials said on Thursday. Park officials said the incident came to notice on Thursday morning when the guards recovered the carcass of the rhino from the park's Burhaphar range. The rhino horn was missing, which indicated poaching, park officials said. This is the 16th one-horned rhino to be killed by poachers in the park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this year. "We suspect the rhino was killed on Wednesday night. The involvement of militant outfits is suspected as we have recovered empty cartridges of AK47 rifles from near the carcass," a senior park official told IANS. Although the government claims to have taken several steps to stop the menace, the poachers continue to kill the animal for its horn.

Helper: To cook and do other household works. Salary: Negotiable Location: Dimapur Contact: 9862571149 Call timing: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Dimapur, Nagaland Ph.: 03862-229370/9862008081

9AM – 5PM

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ZUNHEBOTO NO. JUD. 21/2016-17/79

Dt. Zbto. the 5th Dec, 2016

Notice calling objection for the issue of Succession Certificate

Smt. Ghotoli of D.C. Hill (E), Zunheboto Town, District Zunheboto has applied for the issue of Succession Certificate declaring that her husband Late N. Khahovi Sema has expired on 20-11-2016 It is hereby notified that if no objection to issue this certificate is received from anyone within a period of 30 (thirty) days w.e.f the date of publication in press, the Certificate shall be issued, and no further complaint will be entertained for issue of the same.

CJNCSD to intensify agitation as 48-hour ultimatum lapses

New Delhi, December 15 (mexN): With the lapse of the 48 hour ultimatum served by the Joint Naga Civil Societies, Delhi (CJNCSD) to the Manipur Government, the committee today vowed to intensify its agitation asserting that “nothing short of total separation from the State of Manipur would resolve the Naga issue henceforth”. The CJNCSD also censured the Government of India (GoI) maintaining that the latter has “deliberately failed to intervene at this critical juncture in dishonour of the 3rd August, 2015 Framework Agreement.”

BIBLES – BOOKS – MUSIC - GIFTS

Sd/- Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto: Nagaland

situation escalates into a full-blown ethnic confrontation. It also appealed to the valley-based civil organisations to stand with the Nagas in their fight for common justice.

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ZUNHEBOTO

NO.JUD.21/2016-17/81

Dt. Zbto. the 5th Dec. 2016

Notice calling objection for the issue of Succession Certificate

AFFIDAVIT

Smti. Kavili Sema of Yemishe Village, District, Zunheboto has applied for the issue of Succession Certificate/Guardianship Certificate declaring that Her husband Late Khetovi Sema has expired on 05/11/ 2014 It is hereby notified that if no objection to issue this certificate is received from anyone within a period of 30 (thirty) bays w.e.f the date of publication in press, the Certificate shall be issued, and no further complaint will be entertained for issue of the same.

Regd. No. 291

I, Smti. Sanole Teilia W/o Sanzube of Old Beisumpui, PO Jalukie & PS Ahthibung, Peren Dist. Nagaland hereby declare that the name Samole and Sanole Teilia is of same person. I hereby declare that my correct name is SAMOLE and shall be used for all official purposes in the future.

Sd/- Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto: Nagaland

Nagaland Govt. Registered Class- I Contractors Union ADVeNT CHrISTMAS

: 19th December 2016 : 3:00 P.M : NGRC-1CU Conference Hall Phezoucha Secretariat Road Kohima, Nagaland Leader : S. Bendang Jamir Vice President NGRC-1CU Message : Rev. Dr. Neivotso Neikha Mission Director North East India CRC (NEICRC) Dated Time Venue

Order of service 1. Invocation & Scripture reading 2. Hymn 3. Season Greeting 4. Special number 5. What Christmas means to me 6. Christmas Message 7. Hymn 8. Benediction

: Mr. L. Pukhato Shohe General Secretary NGRC-1CU : Joy to the world : Mr. Seyiekuolie President NGRC-1CU : Thejavor & Friends : Mr. Vilelie Khamo Adviser NGRC-1CU : : Silent Night : Mr. Krosal Neikha Treasure NGRC-1CU

ADVeNT CHrISTMAS DINNer

All members are requested to attend the programme

friDAY 16•12•2016

business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Yahoo suffers world’s biggest hack affecting 1 bn users

SAN FRANCISCO, DECEMBER 15 (AP): Yahoo has discovered a 3-yearold security breach that enabled a hacker to compromise more than 1 billion user accounts, breaking the company’s own humiliating record for the biggest security breach in history. The digital heist disclosed Wednesday occurred in August 2013, more than a year before a separate hack that Yahoo announced nearly three months ago . That breach affected at least 500 million

users, which had been the most far-reaching hack until the latest revelation. “It’s shocking,” security expert Avivah Litan of Gartner Inc. Both lapses occurred during the reign of Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, a once-lauded leader who found herself unable to turn around the company in the four years since her arrival. Earlier this year, Yahoo agreed to sell its digital operations to Verizon Communications for $4.8 billion a deal that may now

be imperiled by the hack- were not affected. ing revelations. But hackers also apparently stole passwords in Two hacks, more both attacks. Technically, than a billion accounts those passwords should Yahoo didn’t say if it be secure; Yahoo said they believes the same hack- were scrambled twice once er might have pulled off by encryption and once by two separate attacks. The another technique called Sunnyvale, California, hashing. But hackers have company blamed the late become adept at cracking 2014 attack on a hacker af- secured passwords by asfiliated with an unidenti- sembling huge dictionarfied foreign government, ies of similarly scrambled but said it hasn’t been able phrases and matching to identify the source be- them against stolen passhind the 2013 intrusion. word databases. Yahoo has more than a That could mean troubillion monthly active us- ble for any users who reers, although some have used their Yahoo password multiple accounts and oth- for other online accounts. ers have none at all. An un- Yahoo is requiring users to known number of accounts change their passwords and were affected by both hacks. invalidating security quesIn both attacks, the sto- tions so they can’t be used len information included to hack into accounts. (You names, email addresses, may get a reprieve if you’ve phone numbers, birth- changed your password and dates and security ques- questions since September.) tions and answers. The Security experts said company says it believes the 2013 attack was likely bank-account information the work of a foreign govand payment-card data ernment fishing for infor-

mation about specific people. One big tell- It doesn’t appear that much personal data from Yahoo accounts has been posted for sale online, meaning the hack probably wasn’t the work of ordinary criminals. That means most Yahoo users probably don’t have anything to worry about, said J.J. Thompson, CEO of Rook Security. Questions for Verizon News of the additional hack further jeopardizes Yahoo’s plans to fall into Verizon’s arms. If the hacks cause a user backlash against Yahoo, the company’s services wouldn’t be as valuable to Verizon, raising the possibility that the sale price might be renegotiated or the deal may be called off. The telecom giant wants Yahoo and its many users to help it build a digital ad business. After the news of the first hack broke, Verizon said it would re-evaluate its Yahoo

deal and in a Wednesday statement said it will review the “new development before reaching any final conclusions.” Spokesman Bob Varettoni declined to answer further questions. At the very least, the security lapses “definitely will help Verizon in its negotiations to lower the price,” Litan predicted. Yahoo has argued that news of the 2014 hack didn’t negatively affect traffic to its services, strengthening its contention that the Verizon deal should be completed under the original terms. “This just adds to fuel to the fire and it won’t help Yahoo’s cause,” said Eric Jackson, a longtime critic of the company’s management. Although he has in the past, Jackson doesn’t currently own Yahoo stock. Investors appeared worried about the Verizon deal. Yahoo’s shares fell 96 cents, or 2 percent, to $39.95 after the disclosure of the latest hack.

IT raids Axis bank branch, Total individual wealth in India seizes 20 fake accounts is a whopping Rs 304 lakh crore

NOIDA, DECEMBER 15 (IANS): Income Tax officials on Thursday raided an Axis Bank branch here and seized 20 fake accounts with deposits amounting Rs 60 crore, police said. The raid was conducted around 10 a.m. at an Axis Bank branch situated at Sector-51. A police officer said the suspected accounts were opened on the name of several fake companies and a few low income individuals. “ITofficialsalsofoundthatthedirectors or owners of these fake companies are daily labourers,” a police officer said. The officer said these fake accounts came to the notice of

the IT department when a jeweller in NoidasoldgoldworthRs600croreafter the November 8 demonetisation announcement, and deposited the money he got at the Noida branch. “Most of the money has reached the jeweller through RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement system),” the official said. A large number of account holders gathered outside the bank as they were not allowed to go inside. A police team was also deployed outside the Axis Bank branch. IT officials also recovered over Rs 100 crore from 44 suspect accounts in an Axis Bank branch in Chandni Chowk area in Delhi.

MobiKwik to help 30 lakh street vendors go digital NEw DElhI, DECEMBER 15 (IANS): Domestic mobile wallet platform MobiKwik and the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) on Thursday teamed up to empower over 30 lakh street vendors from 25 states to use digital transactions. “We will train 10 lakh street vendors in three months to enable them to transact digitally. MobiKwik payments will soon be accepted by 30 lakh street vendors in 25 states directly,” said Upasana FiRe StatiOnS

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Taku, Co-founder of MobiKwik, in a statement. MobiKwik recently launched MobiKwik Lite which allows smaller and unorganised retailers and shopkeepers accept payments seamlessly. “Due to demonetisation, street vendors all across India lost 70 per cent of their business and it affected them badly. Thus, NASVI has come up with Mobikwik to provide the solution and make them aware about cashless economy,” said Arbind Singh, Founder, NASVI.

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NEw DElhI, DECEMBER 15 (BuSINESS STANDARD): Total wealth held by individuals in India has grown 8.5% to Rs 304-lakh crore in FY16, according to Karvy’s India Wealth Report 2016. It expects the individual wealth in India to grow to Rs 558-lakh crore at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% over the next five years. Total individual wealth in financial assets in India grew 7.14% to Rs 172-lakh crore in FY16, the report says, much slower than in FY15 when wealth had grown nearly 19%. The slower pace of growth has been attributed to the bleak performance of direct equities. Karvy expects financial assets to grow at a faster pace of 14.73% CAGR, nearly doubling in the next five years. Growth in alternate asset classes in FY16 stood at 84.70% vis-à-vis FY15. Karvy predicts the growth to continue in the next five years although at a slightly slower pace. At the same time, Karvy also cautions against more ‘Black Swan’ events like demonetisation in the future, which will change the way Indians perceive wealth. Going ahead, Karvy expects more wealth to enter the formal financial system given the government’s demonetisation

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Asset–wise trends Individual wealth in physical assets, according to Karvy, stood at Rs 132-lakh crore, having grown at a brisk pace of 10.32% in FY16 compared to a 2% decline in FY15. Indian’s love for gold was evident and shone all

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programme. As a result, savings bank deposits, fixed deposits and small savings schemes to be most sought after investment avenues even for the next year. Over the long-run, Karvy says, this wealth will eventually find its way into asset classes such as equities, mutual funds, etc. On the other hand, the proportion of investments in physical assets such as gold and real estate will reduce. “Wealth in financial assets (direct equities, fixed deposits, alternate assets and mutual funds) is likely to grow considerably in the long run, and events such as demonetisationwillalsohelpreroute Indian investors’ wealth into these financial assets. Growth in direct equity at a CAGR of 24.27% over the next five years is likely to lead this growth in financial wealth, followed mutual funds (20.23%), insurance (15.6%), fixed deposits (13.31%) and savings deposits (12.89%),” said Abhijit Bhave, CEO, Karvy Private Wealth.

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NEw DElhI, DECEMBER 15 (PTI): After leading operators Bharti Airtel and Vodafone, smaller rival Aircel has also announced free unlimited calling plans for its prepaid customers as it tries to match up to Reliance Jio’s offerings. Under the two new plans -- RC14 and RC249 -- announced today, Aircel will offer its customers unlimited local and STD calling across all networks with a validity of one day and 28 days, respectively, Aircel said in a statement. Also, customers with 4G handsets in circles like Assam and North East, West Bengal, Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh East, Bihar and Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, will get an additional 1.5 GB of 3G data. “As we gradually move towards the New Year, we want to delight our customers with an exciting gamut of products that offer them benefits of unlimited calling and data. Both RC14and RC249 are designed for a wide spectrum of users, who want to enjoy free calling and also stay connected online at an affordable cost,” Aircel Chief Marketing Officer Anupam Vasudev said.

Mercedes-Benz to hike prices NEw DElhI, DECEMBER 15 (PTI): German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz said it will hike prices of its entire model range in India, effective January 1, 2017, by up to 2% to offset rising inflation, input costs and increasing forex rates. “The rising inflation coupled with rising input costs and increasing forex rates have been exerting significant pressure on the bottom line,” Mercedes Benz India said in a statement. The combination of all these factors led to Mercedes-Benz India revising the prices of the entire model range upwards, it added. Mercedes Benz sells a range of products in India starting from the AClass priced at Rs 27 lakh to the Mercedes-Maybach S600 tagged at Rs 2.6 crore.

through FY16, with individual the wealth in the yellow metal at Rs 65.90-lakh crore, which is nearly half the share of physical assets. On the other hand, wealth in real estate (excluding primary residences) come in second at Rs 55.47-lakh crore, the Karvy report suggests. Wealth held in Mutual Funds grew 13% during the period under review, indicating a clear preference of investors moving towards professional management of wealth.

Patanjali fined Rs 11 lakh for misleading advertisements

DEhRADuN, DECEMBER 15 (PTI): A local court in Haridwar has slapped Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved’s five production units with a fine of Rs 11 lakh for “misbranding and putting up misleading advertisements” of their products. ADM Lalit Narayan Mishra’s court has asked the company to pay the fine within a month. Patanjali Ayurved was found guilty of misbranding as the products being shown by the company as produced at its own units were in fact manufactured somewhere else, the court said. A case had been filed in the court against the company in 2012 by the District Food Safety Department after samples of mustard oil, salt, pineapple jam, besan and honey produced by Patanjali had failed quality tests at Rudrapur laboratory. The products were found to be Global wealth in violation of sections 52-53 of Food Security norms and Global private financial section 23.1 (5) of Food safety and Standard (packaging wealth grew by nearly 5.2% in 2015 and labelling) regulation. to $168 trillion (around Rs 11,250lakh crore), of which, Asia-Pacific accounted for $37 trillion (nearly Rs 2,500-lakh crore), the report says. While India is considered the bright spot among emerging economies, Karvy expects the Course Qualification duration Male/Female growth momentum to slow, given Beauty Therapist 8 Pass 2 months Female the government’s recent efforts to Bakery & Confectionery 12 pass 2 months Both demonetise old, high-value notes. BPO 10 pass 3 months Male That apart, the outcome of the US Retailing 8 pass 3 months Male Presidential election is also likely to impact global markets. HowevIn Noida, Delhi. under Govt. Scheme PMKVY Free Traveling, Lodging & Fooding er, in the long-run, India is expect100% Job Assistance after Training ed to outshine its emerging market peers, including China, owing saloni Agency to changing positive dynamics, Bank Colony, A.G. Hr. sec. school Junction, dimapur especially the government’s re9774351136/9615454002 forms push.

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CROSSWORD # 3805

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ACROSS 1. A feudal vassal 5. Prank 9. Proven information 13. Feudal worker 14. Highly skilled 16. Double-reed woodwind 17. Mimics 18. Ancient Athenian philosopher 19. Iron oxide 20. A bodily fluid 22. Protocol 24. Swimming hole 26. Nymph 27. Gauge 30. Horse sounds 33. Formal written defense 35. Anoint (archaic) 37. Cheery 38. Water balloon sound 41. Cover 42. Construct 45. Staggering 48. Deft 51. Modern sing-along 52. Leers 54. Confined 55. Lost hope 59. Everglades bird 62. Cry of pain 63. Tapestry 65. Relocate 66. Balm ingredient 67. Doctrine 68. Pinnacle 69. One who colors cloth 70. Marsh plant 71. Where a bird lives DOWN 1. . Loyal (archaic) 2. Catch a glimpse of 3. Jobless 4. Pillage 5. Dip lightly

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Friday 16•12•2016

NAGALAND

NPCC attacks NPF on arrest of Authorized state stockist and no discrepancy Units on ACAUT leaders, other issues NPF PDS scam Dimapur, December 15 (mexN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee today accused the DAN government headed by TR Zeliang of running the state akin to a “fascist rule” by arresting the ACAUT leaders for performing “its responsibility in facilitating a corruption –free society.” "Since 'corruption and graft is a trademark' of the Democratic Alliance Government, the Chief Minister appears to be hell bent on to legitimize and mobilizes all resources at its command to punish anyone who dares to expose DAN government’s misdeeds,” maintained a press statement from NPCC Working President Ayangba Aonok. After lambasting the governor and the BJP in the recent past for “expressing anguished over unprecedented corruption and graft,” the DAN government went a step further and arrested ACAUT leader for exposing corruption in the Food and Civil Supplies department, it added. Likening the present government to a “fascist rule,” NPCC said that “It is essentially an anti-intellectual movement, pro-capitalist that opposes the right of the workers to resort to strike and demonstration. It has no place for virtues like sympathy, love, understanding, morality etc, it said. “Intolerance is one of the attributes of the DAN government and declaring a virtual war against the vigilant and innocent citizens of Nagaland must be condemned by all right thinking people,” it added.

Don’t shy away from CBI Inquiry if innocent, NLSF tells Government Dimapur, December 15 (mexN): The Nagaland Law students appealed the State Government not to shy away from ordering a CBI inquiry “if the government feels that they have not done anything wrong with regard to the PDS scam.” India, being the largest democratic country in the world, don’t we have the right to voice out against corruption? NLSF posed in a press note received here adding that, “Nagaland state is not a dictatorial form of government.” It has been clearly stated in Article 19(1)(b) of the constitution of India that all citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, it added. Expressing its dismay over the PDS scam crisis, the Federation strongly appealed the State Government and law enforcing agency to deliver the justice at the earliest. The press note was appended by NLSF President, Imliben Lemtur; Information & Publicity Secy Roland; and Speaker Nungshimeren Jamir. In this regard, the NPCC further appealed the government to listen to the voice of the people and clean up the department, especially Food & Civil Supplies department in the interest of the suffering masses, and release the ACAUT leaders. Meanwhile, the NPCC further questioned the “ambiguous and vague” stand on the issue of declaration of Christmas Day as a 'Good Governance Day.' When NPCC raised the issue, the DAN government has not opposed the NDA government order but NPF came out with a vague response and gone on record to say that it CEC will take up the issue, it added. If the CEC had taken up the issue, it should be in the public domain, NPCC

pointed that adding that “faltering and mere adoption of resolution will not help assuage the hurt feelings of the Christians in Nagaland.” “NDA government will not take cognizance of that veiled resolution.” It further said that the much-hyped DAN Legislators trip to Delhi for Naga political settlement turned out to be hoax and merely to impress upon the people that the government is committed towards a political settlement.” Nothing is on record to substantiate their commitment, NPCC said adding that instead of working towards a solution the DAN government is gearing up for poll slated in 2018 and drumming up support for electoral gains.

Dimapur, December 15 (mexN): Two district units of the Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) today endorsed the statement clarified by its parent body on the allegation of PDS rice scam and said that there were no discrepancies in the system and it is run by authorised operators. In a press note receive here, the Dimapur NPF President I Nungsang Jamir and general secre-

tary L Choba Lotha implied that the allegation hurled against the government and state stockist were baseless as it is run by “authorised operator under Food and Civil supplies.” Further asserting that the present government implemented the National Food Security Act (NFSA), it said that people in the remote "area are at the receiving end due to the sealing of godowns, as it was meant for distributing to other districts." It further appealed all concern to refrain from

MLA & Chairman NIDC Ltd, Tovihoto Ayemi seen along with organizers who received him at the gate on the second day of Dimapur Night Carnival on Thursday. (Morung photo) Morung Express News Dimapur | December 15

The second day of the popular annual Dimapur Night Carnival opened with a grand KTM stunt show which was flagged off by MLA & Chairman NIDC Ltd, Tovihoto Ayemi on Thursday at Naga Shopping Arcade, Dimapur. The show was a crowd puller as the stunt performers did breathtaking shows and the crowd kept demanding for more. The stunt rides and tricks were performed by professionals on KTM Bikes. The crowd was advised not to perform the stunts at home or anywhere else.

Earlier, speaking at a brief programme, Tovihoto lauded the organizers for the yearly success of the Dimapur Night Carnival which he said was the biggest event in Dimapur. He encouraged them to continue organizing the carnival so that it continues to provide a platform for the entrepreneurs and the people to come and have quality time. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the carnival, DNC Convenor, Hokivi Chishi said the response of the people were more than other years. It was informed that more than 300 stalls have been set up this year.

The organizers are also picking a lottery every night since the first day. On the first day, the lucky lottery number 1838 was announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Toursim, C. Apok Jamir. Tovihoto announced the lucky lottery number 1665 by randomly picking it from a bucket on the second day. Lucky winners of the first two days will walk away with a Scooty each. The lottery is priced at Rs 500 valid for 5 days of the Carnival. Two bikes and Nissan Car remains for the last three days. Interested persons have been informed to buy lottery ticket from the venue near The Garden.

Dr. Hovithal Sothu, Deputy Director ATI addressing 50th anniversary of Rüsoma Students’ Union (RSU) on December 15 at Rüsoma village under the theme “Beyond possibilities.” Neikhozotuo Savino, president Nagaland Crafts Council and Rüsoma Village council chairman Siekuolie Mezhier also spoke on the occasion.

Kohima DPDB meeting held Kohima, December 15 (Dipr): The monthly Meeting of Kohima District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) for the month of December was held on December 15 at DPDB Hall, Kohima. Chairing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner, Kohima first reviewed the last meeting minutes and deliberations were held in connection with the opening of new college at the existing Mt Sinai School Kohima. The Board requested the concerned authority to verify and submit the preliminary report to the DPDB for approval forwarding to the Education Department.

Various Adoption Committees gave their power point presentations and highlighted their progress, achievements and initiatives undertaken in the district. The presentation on Village Adoption committee report on 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency (Hospital Colony) was given by Neikesono Convener and SDO(C) Kohima, 11th Northern Angami by Seyiekhrielie Rio, BDO Chiephobozou, 15th Southern Angami by SDO Wanyei Wanlleip and 10th Northern Angami A/C (High School Ward) by Kethosituo Sekhose, SDO (Sadar) The DC appreciated

the Village Adoption committees for their services rendered to the grass root population with their activities by setting an example of sense of sanitation and imparting trainings on livelihood in the various locations which is the most effective way to stimulate economic development. He encouraged the Committees to do more significant activities in sensitizing better impact to the grass root population and continue to take responsibility in monitoring and evaluate which the trainings imparted on the communities in order to get actual effort rendered for the interest of the community.

hands” stated a press note from its President Cievotso Nienu. “We should carry out our protest action in a legal and justifiable manner, it said” The NPF Phek Division further claimed that it had physically clarified the matter with the concerned authority and has found no “discrepancy” in the PDS of the district. In this regard, it urged the F&CS department to facilitate immediate supply and distribution of PDS food items to the public before the festive season.

PH appeals for full-fledged SBI facility at Meluri

Dimapur, Dimapur 15 (mexN): The Pochury Hoho today appealed the State Bank of India for a full-fledged facility at Meluri Branch in order cater the citizens of Meluri town and its surrounding areas. Meluri Town is an ADC headquarters comprising of 40 villages including the surrounding neighbours, includind the bordering Manipur Villages. In a memorandum addressed to Assistant General Manager, the Regional Bank Office, State Bank of India, released to media here by its President Penthü Pochury General Secretary, Er.Vichutho Nyu-

sou, it said that that due to limited facilities, the populace of the town are facing severe hardship. “On behalf of the Meluri Town dwellers(30 departments and its employees,10 Educational schools,16 Prominent NGOs,16 churches &a Mandir/Masjid), the Pensioners Association Meluri Block, Business Union Meluri Town etc and the rural farmers of Meluri SubDivision, we would like to pursue for a full staff facility for SBI Meluri Branch in order to cater the needs and attend the welfare of the customers in hassle free environment,” it said

Tovihoto opens 2nd day of Carnival FCS dept on food grain distribution Dimapur, December 15 (Dipr): The Department of Food and Civil Supplies today issued a statement with regard to distribution of food grains under the National Food Security Act. The department informed that the State Government implemented the NFSA, 2013 effective from July and August, 2016. It said there are 2, 85,226 ration cards under PHH and AAY covering 14, 05,956 beneficiaries by abolishing BPL and APL. Besides, the department informed that the scale of issue of food grains is 5kg per person under PHH and 35kg per Ration card holder under AAY at the rate of Rs 3/- per Kg, which have been already

calling any more bandh as it creates more inconveniences to the people. Meanwhile, the NPF Phek Unit said that the “hullabaloo” incident created by the raid by ACAUT and CCN and its subsequent events could have been easily averted if the concerned organisation or individuals had “preinformed” the administration and police authorities before conducting the raid. “It has been often seen that in their zeal and eagerness, they step overboard and take the law into their

uploaded in the Department portal. It stated that due to non- finalization of transportation costs, the State stockiest transports the food grains at their own expenses on due. It further revealed that the coverage of beneficiaries has been determined as per 2011 census. The department opined that all genuine persons/ households are covered and NFSA has been implemented successfully. “All stake holders including Village Council, Town Council, GBs and officials assist the department for judicious and fair preparation of ration cards. Individuals/households concerned possessing more than one ration card created confusion

and corruption at the grass root level, which the department is taking serious initiative and steps to check such multiple holding of cards,” it added. Meanwhile, the department informed that in order to streamline fair distribution of food grains reaching out all genuine person/family, the department has instructed to furnish Aadhar. However, as of now only 26,700 have submitted Aadhar. For the reason stated, the department has not been able to speed up the Aadhar seeding. The department has urged all beneficiaries to submit their Aadhar at the earliest and cooperate with the department “in the interest of judicious policy implementation.”

The customers are also facing the grudge of demonetization with unending queue of customers for withdrawals, deposits and other customer cares services, it maintained adding that long overdue or pending fresh opening accounts of zero balance,Jhan Dhan Yojna etc are also some common concern. In this regard, the Hoho also appealed for an ATM facility at Main Town area or towards Avangkhung and Kiphire junction to lighten the public burden. There was also cash Officer in 2014 but there is no reliever or replacement till date, it said ap-

pealing for a strong positive response from the concerned authority regarding the same. The slow and regular breaks down of internet facility at the office also need rectification, it added adding that public were apprehensive and “scared” that the policy of the central Government to facilitate through DBT for all the welfare schemes of the poor would fail to reach in the far-flung due to lack of proper facilities. It will cost very dearly to those who had to bear the brunt untold hardships and stories of isolationism, it said.

Meetings & AppointMents Chakhesang Hoho Kohima meeting All the concerned members of Chakhesang Hoho Kohima are informed that there will be a ‘Consultative Executive Meeting’ all the existing village units’ representative at Kohima and all the various Sükrünye Committee members on December 17. The meeting will be held from 1PM onward at LCS Building, near Ao Church Kohima. All the concerned unit representatives and committee members are requested to attend positively.

PACSU general Session The 20th General Session cum Freshers’ Social of Pungro Area College Students’ Union (PACSU) will commence on December 20 and 22 at Pungro town under the theme “Challenging Prospects”. T Torechu, MLA & Chairman, NKVIB will grace the inaugural session as the Chief Guest while Bendangmoa, Team Member, Nagaland Bee Keeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) and S. Kiusumew Yimchunger, President, Public Forum Pungro Sub-division (PFPS) will be the Guest Speaker and Special Guest respectively. The two day event will be culminated with the 4th Edition of Miss PACSU pageant. The Union has extended invitation to all the former officials and HoDs of Pungro Sub-Division to attend the event. All the members and Federating Units also informed to attend the session and to submit any agenda to the Federal Assembly before the commencement of the session.

AR arrests NPYC state executive meeting held NSCN (K) cadre Dimapur, December 16 (mexN): An alleged NSCN (K) cadre was arrested when an operation in general area New Market, Dimapur by conducted by troops of 32 Assam Rifles along with police representative on December 14. An AR press note identified the cadre as Tokavi Sumi of Luhezhe village, Dimapur. The apprehendee along with the recovered items was handed over to East Police Station, Dimapur for further investigation, it added.

MLA Roselina Tirkey with NPYC president Vilhousielie Kenguruse and others at the meeting in Dimapur on December 14.

Kohima, December 15 (mexN): The Nagaland Pradesh Youth Congress today held its extended state executive meeting at DCC office Dimapur. The meeting was chaired by NPYC president Vilhous-

ielie Kenguruse. K. Therie president NPCC, Roselina Tirkey, MLA &IYC Secy incharge of Nagaland, NPYC state executives and DYC executives from Dimapur district were present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the NPCC president shared about the present political scenario and history of Nagaland. IYC secretary who is also an MLA representing Sarupathar Assembly Constitu-

ency under Assam on her maiden visit to Nagaland exhorted the meeting and also advised the youth executive to cohesively work together as a team in all its activities and gain the trust of the people.

Viswema’s Catholic community celebrate Golden Jubilee Kohima, December 15 (mexN): The Catholic community of St. Joseph Church, Viswema celebrated the Golden Jubilee cum blessing and dedication of their newly built Church with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the Chief Celebrant on Thursday, December 15. Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General, Diocese of Kohima, unveiled the Jubilee Monolith. Nosazol Charles, Chairman, Jubilee Organizing Committee, in his welcome address, termed the day “a red letter day” for the Catholic Community of Viswema and express thanks to pioneering missionaries, particularly the Jesuit Fathers and the Bethany Sisters. The Catholic faith in the village began on Janu-

ary 31, 1966 when Zaku Zakaria Tsukru, Krusatonu Anna and Mekrutsole Athansia were baptized from Khonoma during the 2nd Nagaland Catholic Congress. Today the community has grown to 348 families with 1458 Catholic

members in the village. The newly built and specially designed Church was blessed and dedicated by the Bishop while Rev. Fr. Arul Soosaimanickam, SJ, Regional Superior, North East Jesuits inaugurated it. The Eucharistic celebra-

tion began with the lighting of 50 lambs by 50 Catholics representatives signifying fifty years of Christian lives. Over forty priests concelebrated the Mass. The Bishop in his address congratulated the Viswema Catholic Com-

munity on the golden jubilee and for constructing such a magnificent Church but reminded the gathering that it is through a life lived in accordance with the teaching of Jesus that one truly worships God. “Today we express our gratitude to God who inspired and guided every step of the pioneers of this community who ventured out to accept and to live not so well known and welcome faith fifty years ago,” the Bishop stated adding, “We are today heirs of that noble venture.” “Let the golden jubilee celebration be the opportune time to live the faith of the pioneers with commitment and passion with great hope to the future,” the Bishop urged.

friday 16•12•2016

IN FOCUS The Power of Truth

The Morung Express volume Xi issue 345 By Witoubou Newmai

Wither Indian secularism?

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

C O M M E N T A R Y

Peter Apps Reuters

The lessons of Aleppo's long, pointless siege

ndia’s campaign to project itself as a liberal country continues to take a battering but the Union Government remains unperturbed. If we are to base on the popular concept of secularism, India has had a pretentious discourse for a long time. But it is still not clear why meaningful debates enough to impact in the mind of the Indian policy makers are absent. One need not be a political scientist to note that more often than not, distorted secularism hurting the minorities has become a fundamental concern in India, despite ardent rhetoric. Of the numerous cases, this column would focus on the recent developments pertaining to hurt Christian sentiment. The celebration of the Good Governance Day in India on Christmas Day has really undermined the feelings and sentiments of the Christians. In the Northeast, the Church and the civil society organisations in Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland have been strongly opposing the observation of the Good Governance Day on December 25 ever since the Union Government had declared the same in 2014. Let us recall the valid points raised by various organisations opposing the celebration of the Good Governance Day on December 25. The most influential organisation of Mizoram, the Young Mizo Association (YMA) has expressed its ‘strong disappointment’ over the decision of the Union Government to celebrate the Good Governance Day on Christmas Day saying “it is an important festival of the Christians.” The YMA also stated that the development is a manifestation of “disrespecting the Christian” and asked the Union Government to “respect the religious sentiments of the Christians,” and that, no one should be forced to observe the Good Governance Day on December 25. Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) has also expressed its strong resentment on the issue and demanded from the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh to address the issue urgently. According to the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), the decision of the Union Government to observe the Good Governance Day on Christmas Day is a ‘discriminatory’ move against the Christians in India. The NBCC also said that such decision attempts to dilute the importance of the day which will go down in history as a discriminatory move against the Christians. The Nagaland church body then urged the Union Government to ‘stay away’ from causing divisions, instigating communal feelings and insecurity. Church bodies in Manipur and Meghalaya also vehemently voiced against the observation of the Good Governance Day on Christmas Day. It may also be recalled how two judges of the Supreme Court had strongly opposed the decision of the Chief Justice of India to hold a conference of judges on Good Friday and Easter Sunday last year. According to Justice Kurian Joseph, he was invited by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The conference began on Good Friday. Hurt Justice Kurian Joseph wrote to Narendra Modi saying, “Such events should be avoided on a day of religious observance as these events are of immense significance for people of the country in terms of belief, faith and propagation of religion which is recognised under the Constitution”. The other judge who opposed this judges’ conference was Justice Vikramjit Sen. If such cases go unaddressed, it is definitely bound to bear adverse effects on the dynamics of social relations in India.

lEfT WING |

Alex Whiting Thomson Reuters Foundation

Africa must act now if it is to feed itself in 2050 - scientists

frica will be able to grow enough cereals to feed its growing population by 2050, but only if it breaks a culture of complacency and starts now to invest more in agriculture, scientists said on December 12. Sub-Saharan Africa currently imports about 20 percent of its cereal needs, and this could rise to at least 50 percent by 2050, researchers said in a report published on Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. One way to meet growing demand is to expand the land area to grow crops, but this would mean cutting down forests or encroaching on protected nature reserves, leading to loss of biodiversity and increased greenhouse gas emissions, they said. However, it is possible for the continent to feed a population expected to grow 2.5 times by 2050 by producing more food on the land already being planted, the report said. This would need investment to boost crop yields, an increase the number of crops grown on the same plot of land, and an expansion of irrigation, they said. "It's achievable, but we have to break the complacency that we can continue with business as usual ... (and) still feed ourselves," said Kindie Tesfaye, co-author of the report and a scientist with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Addis Ababa. "In many countries agriculture gets the lowest financial support in terms of GDP," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. Complacency among donors is also a problem, he said. After international food prices soared in 2008, both donors and African governments invested more in agriculture, but investments fell once the prices levelled off, he said. "African countries need to look at what is coming in the next 50 or 60 years, in terms of feeding their population. That has to be planned ahead of time," Tesfaye said. The researchers looked at ten countries which together represent 54 percent of the total population of sub-Saharan Africa and 58 percent of its arable land. They found that cereal yields in most countries surveyed are growing slower than population and demand, while the area planted has increased 14 percent in the last 10 years. They also found that closing the gap between current yields per crop and potential yields - which in Africa is very wide - is not enough alone to feed Africa's growing population. "We were surprised, because the assumption is that ... if Africa could close that gap, then it could feed itself and even be a bread basket for the rest of the world," he said. More than half of global population growth between now and 2050 is projected to occur in Africa, according to U.N. data. "If intensification is not successful and massive cropland expansion is to be avoided, sub-Saharan Africa will become ever more dependent on imports of cereals than it is today," Tesfaye said.

People carry their belongings as they flee deeper into the remaining rebel-held areas of Aleppo, Syria December 13, 2016. (REUTERS)

n its 7,000 years of existence, Aleppo has been fought over by Babylonians, Greeks and Romans. The modern battle for the ancient Syrian city, however, may yet be as significant for the future of the Middle East as those fought by the kingdoms and empires of the past. The four-year battle for Aleppo now seems to be reaching its final stages. More than any other place, the city one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the world - has been the epicenter of the Syria conflict. In time, Syria may be seen to define the early 21st century the way the Spanish Civil War did the 1930s - a perfect storm of all the worst trends in global politics and conflict. If it is, then Aleppo will be its Guernica, the Spanish town carpet bombed by Nazi aircraft in 1937 in a savage precursor to the horrors of the coming World War Two. As long as it held out, Aleppo made a mockery of President Bashar al Assad’s ambition to once again be seen as ruler of everywhere important in Syria. Even now with Russian support, the Syrian government’s attempts to seize it back have been largely unsuccessful. And in diverting its forces to the most recent Aleppo assault, Damascus left Palmyra too lightly defended and vulnerable to Islamic State, which recaptured the ancient city on Sunday. Aleppo might always have been doomed. The victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election, however, appears to have settled the matter. Had Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton prevailed, those fighting to protect the last handful of rebel enclaves in the city might finally have seen Washington drawn into the fight, if only through enforcing a no-fly zone against Syrian and Russian aircraft. That might have been dangerous for the rest of the world. But it would

have offered at least a limited salvation for those still fighting in Aleppo. Trump has signaled that he intends to take a very different approach, pledging to work with Moscow and prioritize the fight against Islamic State. European nations still want some kind of political transition deal to remove the Syrian leader - something Washington now seems much less likely to support. The battle is not quite over. The failure of Assad’s forces to take the sprawling city suggests they lack the combat power to do so. Russian and Syrian bombing may kill hundreds if not thousands of civilians, but the attacks will not in themselves bring victory to Damascus. Nonetheless, it increasingly looks as though that relative lack of military strength will not matter. The opposition now knows it cannot win. According to a Sunday Reuters exclusive, U.S. and Russian officials have been brokering a deal to allow surviving rebel forces to escape the city. That isn’t just the Syrian regime and its backers showing mercy - it is also them taking advantage of an offer that allows them to claim diplomatically a prize that might have required months or years to achieve through force of arms. The end of the siege will be in some ways a humanitarian blessing, whoever might win. If fighting is over, supplies and medical services will likely get through to a suffering population. Targeting hospitals and blocking aid shipments has been a key part of the SyrianRussian strategy. Once the city has been captured, restoring such services will likely be a part of reasserting authority. The darker side of the fighting’s end, however, is already also becoming clear, with reports of perhaps hundreds of fighting age men “disappeared” or killed after surrender. If the Assad government regains control over the rebel city, it will like-

ly use brutal measures to reduce any prospect of further insurrection – especially if it feels neither the United States nor other major powers will take any action. Any harsh response by Assad shouldn’t be surprising. What has and will happen in Aleppo is little different to that in thousands of other sieges throughout history. But as it appears to be ending, it’s worth examining why it took so long to reach this point. The West’s half-hearted approach to Syria’s civil war - giving support to rebel forces, but never enough to beat the government or its Russian allies - has been an unmitigated failure. Perhaps the United States, the United Kingdom and others should share the guilt for the horror that has come with it. The Syria conflict has always had many moving pieces. Even now, formulating policy is complicated by the myriad rival interests - Kurds, Arabs, Alawites, the competing concerns of half a dozen nations. In the process, the wider political landscape of the Middle East has been redrawn. In the early days of the uprising, the Assad government was heavily reliant on Iran as its main ally, the opposition on rival Arab states. In the last two years, however, Russia has been calling the shots. If Aleppo is to fall shortly, then much of the credit - if that is the right word - must go to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia has established a potential new role for itself, a source of military power for autocratic regimes the West might rather see gone. What we don’t know is whether that will be a sign of things to come. In Libya in 2011, the West looked at a similar situation - the looming fall of Benghazi to forces of Muammar Gaddafi - and launched itself into a military intervention that many policymakers now regret. In Aleppo, in contrast,

Western governments never did more than dabble. In some ways, that was inevitable. After the disasters of Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, the feeling in Washington and Europe was that there was little to gain and much to lose. With the migrant crisis, Europe in particular found itself paying a much higher price for the bloodshed in Syria than it ever anticipated - but that in itself did not appear to justify any intervention. In Islamic State, the West was persuaded it had found an enemy it was necessary to fight - in part because it was indissolubly linked to the fight for the future of Iraq, a battle in which the United States and its allies at least largely knew which side they were on. Syria - and Aleppo in particular never had good options. As I’ve written before, it might just have been best never to have encouraged the opposition at all. If the battle of Aleppo is seen as some kind of regional historic turning point, historians may well be arguing over it for generations. As it draws to a close, however, only one thing is truly apparent - that a city that started the century as a relatively cosmopolitan metropolis and destination for Western tourists has been reduced to rubble. And that all the fighting and international handwringing may ultimately have made little difference to who actually runs Syria. Peter Apps is Reuters global affairs columnist, writing on international affairs, globalization, conflict and other issues. He is founder and executive director of the Project for Study of the 21st Century; PS21, a non-national, nonpartisan, non-ideological think tank in London, New York and Washington. Before that, he spent 12 years as a reporter for Reuters covering defense, political risk and emerging markets. Since 2016, he has been a member of the British Army Reserve and the UK Labour Party.

An historic move towards ending child slavery in India monique villa

Thomson Reuters Foundation

magine eight children, all former slaves, singing their hearts out to the President of India. Imagine this taking place in the grand and opulent Rashtrapati Bhavan Palace, New Delhi, once the seat of the viceroy of India at the time of the British empire. It’s a poignant song: "Give us back our childhood". Their own childhood was stolen from them years ago. Most of them weren’t even 10 years old when they were forced to work in unimaginable circumstances, denied the chance to attend school, even to play like other children around the world. Their lives were changed when Indian child rights activist and today Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi rescued them. Over the last 30 years, Kailash has fought against the economic exploitation of children. He himself has freed over 80,000 minors from brick kilns, garment factories, mines and brothels across India. I was at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Palace when they were singing, this past Sunday. Their song marked the launch of Kailash’s new global campaign "100 million for 100 million" which aims to harness the voices of the world's better off children to speak out for their disadvantaged counterparts. As I sat alongside prominent global leaders, Nobel laureates and royalty from across the world including Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and Holland's Princess Lau-

Former child slaves sing at laureates & leaders summit in New Delhi, Dec 10-11 2016. (Reuters)

rentien, I was overcome with emotion to be privileged enough to witness such an historic event. For the first time in India, child slavery is officially being recognised by the highest authority. And when Indian President Pranab Mukherjee publicly called for humankind to recognise that children must have both freedom and opportunity, tears welled up in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. It has been over 200 years since slavery was abolished, but sadly it still exists all over the world. Many of those forced to work without pay and

denied their basic human rights are indeed children. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are 168 million child labourers across the world, with more than half involved in hazardous work in sectors such as agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing and services. The ILO also estimates that 5.5 million of these children are enslaved -- born into servitude, trafficked for sex work, or trapped in debt bondage or forced labour. The number of children in slavery is certainly much higher: 10 to 15 million, according to

WRITE-WING

most specialists. The Nobel has really had an extraordinary effect. Attending this historic ceremony in Delhi on Sunday, I thought that the Committee who awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize to Kailash Satyarthi - jointly with Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzaicould never have anticipated the impact of their decision. They certainly could have not predicted that two years later the president of the biggest democracy in the world would stand alongside Kailash and the children that he saved from the hands of human trafficking gangs. It's refreshing to see how the Peace Prize motivated Kailash Satyarthi to do even more for the disadvantaged and neglected children in his country, and in the world at large. Instead of seeking worldwide fame, Kailash knocked on the door of the presidential palace and asked the president himself to take action to end child exploitation. Up until now, the Indian authorities have been in denial about the existence of slavery despite 18 million people being enslaved in the country, according to Walk Free. And that's why Sunday's meeting was so symbolic: the head of the nation spoke up in ways that cannot be ignored. The Nobel Committee, the President of India and most of all Kailash Satyarthi should be acknowledged for their courage. What happens now, both in India and around the world, should be watched closely: this could well be the beginning of the end of child slavery.

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. 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.

Friday 16•12•2016

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Gabi Sobliye

Exposing the invisible

aul Radu is a Romanian journalist working with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Radu and his team expose criminal groups across eastern Europe using an investigative technique called 'follow the money'. He explains: “money is the global language that connects illegal enterprises everywhere, and investigators who understand this language can find the root of crime and corruption.” 'Follow the money' is a tool that is increasingly used and referenced as a method to expose corruption. It utilises publicly available information contained within databases, company ownership or real estate registrations, to name a few, in order to trace money back to its original source. Radu's work is explored in the film series Exposing the Invisible. The first episode follows Radu and his colleagues as they unveil corruption across borders from Romania to the presidential family in Azerbaijan. Exposing the Invisible is a collection of short films, resources and tools that offer up the personal stories of those working at the frontiers of investigation. The Exposing the Invisible project is the work of the Tactical Technology Collective, an international NGO based in Berlin. Since 2003 Tactical Tech has been tapping into an international network of partners and collaborators to help rights, accountability and transparency advocates and the communities they work with to use information and digital technologies effectively. Exposing the Invisible explores how new types of actors, artists, data journalists, programmers, researchers and activists, are able to work together to identify new strands of evidence available in the public sphere. The digital age has profoundly transformed the way people find and share information. “I would say that maybe a little bit more than 95 percent of the information we use and represent on our websites and in our investigative articles is public information,” Radu tells us. This public information can be anything from international databases, public registries and archives to social media, satellite imagery and metadata.

We can take advantage of the flaws that run across our current data landscape in order to investigate corruption and abuse of power

fline. It is relentlessly collected on both individual and societal levels. Rather than seeing this as wholly negative, Exposing the Invisible takes advantage of the flaws that run across the current data landscape. People of interest also leave traces behind and have their own digital shadows. Exposing the Invisible attempts to help activists navigate this new environment and offers a range of resources, tools and methodology for them to conduct their own investigations and also manage and mitigate the risks involved in this type of work. Exposing the Invisible’s second episode, “From My Point of View”, profiles three 'investigators-in-themaking' investigating issues ranging from weapon supply routes in Syria, urban land-grabbing in postconflict Beirut and how DIY aerial mapping can expose and challenge power relations in east Jerusalem. For one of these investigators – the UK-based blogger Eliot Higgins (aka Brown Moses) – what began as a hobby led to detailed expertise on the arms being used in Syria. Disillusioned with mass media coverage of the conflict and Swimming in data the undervaluing of citizen jourData surrounds our interactions nalism, his painstaking analysis of with each other both online and of- the thousands of YouTube videos

coming out of Syria since the civil war broke out picks out the details too often missed by others. The rise of social media has opened up a vast set of new resources for reporters to exploit, with three days’ worth of video uploaded to YouTube every minute. In “From My Point of View”, Higgins takes us through the tools and processes he uses to gain insight from video footage, ranging from weather websites to googling photos taken by enthusiasts at military shows, and highlights the importance of verification in establishing himself as a reliable, neutral source amid a sea of partisan online point-scoring. In the final episode, “Unseen War”, we explore the physical, moral and political invisibility of US drone strikes in Pakistan. By speaking to journalists, activists and experts inside and outside of Pakistan, the film looks at the consequences of the strikes in the tribal FATA region and how the issue can be made more visible by using data and visualisation tactics. “Unseen War” takes a complicated, multi-faceted issue and works to come at it from a different angle – the deployment of artistic techniques,

for example – in order to move drones from an invisible zone into something more tangible. Our films are licensed under a creative commons license and are available online to either stream or download. Since they were released last year over 4,000 people have attended 131 screenings that have been organised by volunteers all over the world. These screenings have ranged from film festivals in Spain to smaller groups gathering around a projector. “Unseen War” has been aired on Pakistani Cable TV and watched by a reported 1.6 million viewers. DIY investigations Our films feature political actors leading investigations rather than trained investigators with resources and capacity at their disposal. We follow individuals who use creative, often low-tech methods. Hagit, an Israeli activist who is fighting government demolitions of Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem, works to help families stitch together new narratives that challenge government impunity. She uses community-based, free and open source tools and low-cost tactics to bypass governmental and corporate control over geospatial information that shapes so-

ciety’s view of urban space. Challenging constructs of invisibility is not only difficult, but at times risky. Security is an essential part of this work, not only for the risks you accept but also because those you work with are also then put at risk. We are currently working on integrated digital security training within the investigation workshops that we carry out. Integrated security is the idea that you should adopt good security practices from the beginning and throughout the process, rather than as an afterthought. Activists must assume that their work will be visibly successful and prepare for the security risks that this will undoubtedly bring. This builds off one of Tactical Tech's largest projects, "Security in-a-box", a freely available toolkit that is available in 16 languages and offers human rights activists tools and tactics to increase their security online. Exposing the Invisible covers similar built-in practices for dealing with questions of validation and verification when working with digital visual evidence. Due to the rise of digital technologies for both the creation and publication of visual evidence, there are a number of questions raised from using these tools and user-generated content for investigation purposes. Exposing the Invisible showcases the tools and resources that can be used to help others think about verification and how to cross-reference publicly available information. These tools can range from "WHOIS", a domain name database where you can search for details on who has registered a particular domain, through to "The Verification Handbook", a free “definitive guide to verifying digital content for emergency coverage”. With an eye to the future, at Tactical Tech we have a number of questions that we intend to answer. What is the data environment that makes this use of publicly available data possible? What part do we play in it? What are the systems that are perpetuating knowledge inequality? We want to dig deeper into the abuse of power between public and private partnerships within this data society. And we will focus on the environment that enables these abuses to occur and the role you have within it. In early 2016 we will release new films alongside an exhibition on the “Politics of Data” which we are co-producing with Haus der Kulturen der Welt.

Gabi Sobliye is Senior Programme Coordinator at Tactical Technology Collective. She has previously worked at Transparency International and the Guardian.

War, peace and the technological revolution Bruno Siqueira

Technology is forcing through a new form of conversation — even in conflicts. How will the next generation of tools transform the construction of peace?

onflict zones were once considered ‘information-scarce environments’. Wars effectively cut off large slices of territory and populations from the rest of the world. No longer. As vicious conflicts from Darfur and South Sudan to Syria amply show, new technologies have changed all that. Data is collected from satellites to smartphones, offering real-time channels to view events on the ground. Technology has dramatically transformed the ways in which wars are fought, but also how they are reported and how they are communicated between citizens. The revolution in information communications technologies is forcing through a new form of conversation. What are the pros and cons of these digital platforms? How will the next generation of tools transform the construction of peace? Before I turn to solutions, I should confess that I'm not steeped in the peacebuilding world. That said, I do come from Brazil, a country experiencing conflict in all but name — we had more than 58,000 murders last year, surpassing Syria. My personal interest in these issues kicked off two years ago when I started working for the Igarapé Institute. As a software developer working in the private sector, I suddenly found myself building technologies to make people safer. After developing a relationship with Jigsaw — the think tank associated with Google — my team and I became involved in building new data visualisation platforms to understand insecurity around the world. Some of our platforms have attracted international attention.

Our Mapping Arms Data (MAD) tool tracks millions of authorised firearms and ammunition transfers around the world. Our Homicide Monitor examines national and regional dynamics of murder in every country. We've also built mobile phone apps that are designed to disrupt police violence, expose how children experience violence, and forecast the probability of crime at the metropolitan scale. While the situation in Brazil is very different to conflicts in Africa and Asia, there are also surprising similarities. I have acquired a few insights that might be useful for those involved in mobilising new technology in war zones. For one, the democratisation of technology is also enabling creative and innovative solutions

to complex problems. That said, technology is no panacea — it can't solve every problem. What's more, there are some easy ways to make technology even more useful and effective to disrupt violence. Let me expand on each of these points. First, the reach of new technologies is hugely impressive. In war zones virtually everyone has a telephone, can send SMS, and even access the internet or a hotspot (though there are often dangerous forms of surveillance that need to be recognised). Almost everyone also uses social media and communicates in real time with families and friends. These innovations offer a fascinating entry point. For example, Syrian refugees are using google maps and Facebook to find safer

ground. Virtual campaigns are raising awareness of the scale of atrocities in war zones, including violence against women. Crowdsourcing tools are helping people share information about conflict and terrorism, enabling more rapid responses. Drones are also playing a role, including transporting supplies, providing access to the internet, and supporting diagnostics. Even gaming and virtual reality have a part, creating a proximity among users to the wartime experience. But we also need to remember that new technologies are not silver bullets. Peacebuilders, development experts, security officials and diplomats must see technology as one tool among many. While it can help augment understanding and awareness, it also can reinforce false assumptions and raise ethical dilemmas. Technology can empower, but it also creates vulnerability. It is a double-edged sword: citizens can use technology for peace while armed groups and extremists can use the same tools to organise their attacks. Peacebuilding is threatened by this exposure. A first order of business, then is learning how to predict, disrupt and stop the risks. There is a fascinating ecosystem of technology innovation for peace in development. There has been an explosion of hackathons, code sign initiatives, gaming developments and more. While these bewildering transformations take place, how well do they work in the real world? What are the challenges that must be overcome to make them scalable? The fact is that we still don't have much evidence of what works and what does not. There's plenty of good will, but not enough robust analysis of impact. In all of our projects at Igarapé Institute we have faced these challenges. For some of our innovations — including open source

body cameras for police — we are working with government counterparts. Sometimes they have the right mindset and adequate skills to scale, sometimes they do not. It's not always the case that open source solutions will fly. As a think tank, we need to get creative. I’ve found that inertia among public partners is often because they don't believe that open source low-cost technologies are cheaper or more effective than private ones. It goes without saying that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to designing and deploying new technologies for peace. Indeed, given the pace of innovation and the range of user environments, customisability is a key feature needed in peacekeeping technology. We've found that agile programming development processes are key. Start with short, two-week pilots and adjust the technology according to local needs. As seductive as our outputs might be, we must never forget to be always focused on solving the problem and not selling the technology. We cannot force a triangle through a square hole. We also need to get better at sharing and integrating our solutions. There are many groups developing similar products around the globe, and we sometimes run the risk of reinventing the wheel. But if we worked together, imagine the scale we could achieve. Events like the Build Peace or Peace Talks are important ways to bring awareness to the problems that must be addressed, but also the solutions already available. The good news is that the potential for innovation is growing exponentially. But we need to be wary of the risks. The next great challenge is to mature our technology, demonstrate its effectiveness, and never forget that people's wellbeing is central to the solution. In the end, bringing peace and harmony is all that matters.

Gender Equality “Clear Priority” for New UN Secretary-General Lyndal Rowlands

Inter Press Service

chieving gender equality in UN staff appointments will be a “clear priority” for incoming UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, when he takes up the UN’s top administrative role in January 2017. Guterres who was sworn in as Secretary-General at a ceremony at UN Headquarters on Monday, said that achieving gender parity among UN staff will will form an important part of his agenda for his first 100 days in office. “In the appointments I’ll be making – and the first ones will be announced soon – you will see that gender parity will become a clear priority from top to bottom in the UN,” Guterres told journalists after the ceremony. Guterres was selected as UN SecretaryGeneral by the 15 members of the UN Security Council in October. His selection upset campaigners, and many within the UN, who had hoped that the successor to Ban Ki-moon, the UN’s eighth Secretary General, would be the first woman to lead the international organisation in its more than 70 years. However UN member states proved unready to seriously consider a woman for the role, with several highly qualified female candidates failing to perform well in successive UN Security Council votes. Guterres, like many of his rivals, campaigned on a platform of gender equality, and is keen to show that despite his own gender he is committed to promoting women within the UN system. He noted that the first target to achieve gender equality within the UN had been set as the year 2000 and that the new target year of 2030 was too far off. “The UN set itself a goal of reaching gender parity by 2000,” Anne Marie Goetz, Professor in the Center for Global Affairs at New York University told IPS. “It set that goal in 1993. 23 years later and progress in reaching the goal has been pathetic, faltering, and sometimes flatlining.” Despite commitments from current Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, senior appointments in 2015 and 2016 have repeatedly gone to male candidates. However while Guterres will bear the responsibility for making numerous high level UN appointments, Goetz noted that UN member states also bear responsibility for the lack of women in high-level positions at the UN. “The Secretary-General relies on Member States to supply suggestions about qualified candidates for these high profile roles,” said Goetz, who is also a member of the Campaign to Elect a Woman Secretary-General. According to various media reports, one of Guterres’ first appointments is expected to be Nigerian Minister of the Environment, Amina Mohammed as Deputy Secretary-General. “Ms Mohammed’s appointment is an excellent choice but not a specific gain for gender equality at the UN as the Deputy position has been held by women before,” said Goetz. Unlike the position of UN Secretary-General the position of Deputy Secretary-General has been previously held by two women. However Goetz noted that this role has been more likely to be given to women, not only because it is not selected directly by UN member states, but also because “women are much more commonly found in the deputy or second rank position than they are at the very apex of power.” Meanwhile, Guterres also noted that the same concerns with gender representation also applied to regional diversity in UN senior appointments. However, pressures from powerful UN member states to appoint their own candidates to high level positions should not overcome the need for high calibre candidates, Natalie Samarasinghe, Executive Director of the United Nations Association UK told IPS. “While gender, geographic and other forms of diversity are incredibly important, merit should be the primary consideration for every appointment,” said Samarasinghe who also represents the 1 for 7 Billion campaign which has pushed for a more open and transparent process for the selection of the UN Secretary-General. “Several General Assembly resolutions make clear that there should be no monopoly on senior posts by any state or group of states,” said Samarasinghe. “States – especially those that feel entitled to certain jobs – should field high calibre candidates. They should not try to foist failed or inconvenient politicians onto the UN.” However despite the General Assembly resolutions, certain top UN roles are usually taken up by nationals of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. For example, the current head of UN Peacekeeping, Hervé Ladsous is a national of France. Rumours are circulating, that China, which has recently increased its own involvement in UN peacekeeping, may have its eye on this role from 2017. Meanwhile, recent media reports have suggested that the UK’s David Milliband may be being put forward for the role of Administrator of the UN Development Program, currently held by former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. Milliband, who is currently head of the International Rescue Committee, may have appropriate qualifications for the role, however this would mean that the UN’s top development body would again be led by an administrator from a developed country.

Readers may please note that, the contents of the articles published on this page do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.

friDAY 16â&#x20AC;˘12â&#x20AC;˘2016

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Waters Treaty bilateral Parliament's winter session headed for washout Indusissue, maintains India

New Delhi, December 15 (iANS): Parliament's winter session -which ends on December 16 -- is headed for a virtual washout as chaos reigned in both houses on Thursday, the penultimate day of the month-long session. Members of both the opposition and treasury benches indulged in recrimination over demonetisation, corruption and other issues. In the Lok Sabha, the opposition pressed for a debate on demonetisation while the treasury benches demanded a discussion on the AgustaWestland helicopter deal. The continued disruption in both the houses angered veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Lok Sabha member L.K. Advani, who said he feels like resigning from Parliament because of unending pandemonium. He asked Home Minister Rajnath Singh to convey to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan that she should ensure that the house functions on Friday to discuss the November 8 demonetisation. In the Lok Sabha, both opposition and treasury

benches shouted at each other as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan warned the members against displaying newspapers in the house. She then adjourned the house till noon. The opposition accused the Bharatiya Janata Party members of obstructing the debate. Te l a n g a n a R a s h tra Samithi leader A.P. Jithender Reddy said he should be allowed to speak as he had started the discussion on demonetisation under Rule 193. "Every party has a prob-

India to build sixty nine bridges in Myanmar as part of intn'l highway New Delhi, December 15 (mexN): Eyeing development of the north east, India has undertaken a number of infrastructure projects with Myanmar, including construction of 69 bridges in the neighbouring country as part of a trilateral highway. Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said the bridges and road projects under the IndiaMyanmar-Thailand highway will benefit both Myanmar and the north eastern states. He said India is also implementing the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) with an aim to improve connectivity between Indian ports on the eastern seaboard and Sittwe port in Myanmar. To a separate question, he said awarding of work for construction of road between Paletwa and Zorinpui under the KMTTP in Myanmar got rescheduled due to delay in undertaking pre-bid site inspection. He, however, said there was no cost overrun due to delay.

lem with the implementation of demonetisation... I was not allowed to speak," Reddy said. Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay said, "There is one more day left before the end of the session. A discussion could have been initiated, without any rules." Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar raised the issue of the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal and said names of certain Congress leaders are mentioned in middleman Christian Mi-

chel's diary. This further irked the opposition members, leading to more ruckus, following which Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the house for the day. Even after the Lok Sabha was adjourned, Advani remained seated while other members left the house. From the media gallery, Advani was heard telling Rajnath Singh to convey to the Speaker that she should ensure the house runs on Friday to discuss demonetisation. Advani was then joined

by Trinamool Congress MP Idris Ali, who later told reporters that he asked after the former Deputy Prime Minister's health, to which the latter quipped: "My health is fine but the health of Parliament is not." "I feel like resigning," said Advani, his comments audible to those present in the media gallery. Idris then asked Advani about Vajpayee's health. Advani replied: "He would have been very sad to see this." "If the situation is the same on the last day as well, Parliament will be slandered," Advani said. "Such a thing has never happened in the House of Commons... adjourned for no reason. I feel ashamed," he added. In the Rajya Sabha, similar acrimonious scenes were witnessed. It was first adjourned till noon amid chaos, minutes after it reassembled following a four-day break on account of week-end and two holidays. Soon after the house met for the day, the Chair allowed Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad to

speak but members from the treasury benches did not let him speak. "This should also go on record that in both the houses, it is the ruling party (BJP) that is not allowing any work," Azad said, adding that it was happening for the "first time in the history of India". Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien kept on urging protesting members to maintain peace but his pleas went unheeded. "Why should both sides create problem? I don't know," he said and adjourned the house till noon. Later, the house was adjourned for 30 minutes and then again till 2 p.m. It was finally adjourned for the day after 2 p.m. as the opposition members demanded a debate on demonetisation and plight of farmers while those on the treasury benches sought a debate on the AgustaWestland chopper deal. The winter session of Parliament started on November 16 but has been washed away due to protests over the government's November 8 demonetisation and other issues.

'Christmas gift to remember', PM on 2 schemes launched New Delhi, December 15 (PTi): "A Christmas gift to remember," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi today while referring to the two schemes -- 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' and 'Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana' -- launched earlier in the day to encourage cashless transactions. "These 2 schemes will further incentivise digital payments," he tweeted along with the advertisements of the new initiatives. "Strategic push towards increased cashless transactions.... A big boost to move towards cashless and corruption free India. Two new schemes launched," said the PMO in a number of tweets. Earlier, announcing 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' and 'Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana', Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said both the schemes will cover small transactions between Rs 50 and Rs 3,000 to encourage every section of the society to move to digital payments.

To promote digital payments post demonetisation, the government will give daily, weekly and mega cash awards totalling Rs 340 crore for consumers as well as merchants beginning the Christmas Day. Kant said the first draw will happen on December 25 and the mega draw on April 14, the birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar. National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) will announce 15,000 winners of Rs 1,000 each for next 100 days, starting December 25. There will be 7,000 weekly awards each for consumers and merchants. Later at an interaction with a group of scholars and economists, the Prime Minister underlined India's commitment to prudent macro-economic policy, rule-based multilateral trading arrangements, responsible climate policy, and growth which creates jobs and reduces poverty.

Demonetisation a 'pseudo war' against corruption: Yogendra Yadav New Delhi, December 15 (iANS): Terming the decision to devalue highdenomination notes a "pseudo war" against black money, anti-corruption activist Yogendra Yadav criticised the government for seeking to dilute the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), saying this would weaken the actual battle against corruption and help the corrupt. "The point we are trying to make is that it is pseudo war against black money. Not an actual war. It is a very small step in the larger picture of corruption issues in the country. The (amendment) bill will help the corrupt. We are going to pose 10 questions to the government," Yadav told IANS ahead of a demonstration his Swaraj India Party is to hold on Sunday against black money and corruption -- and the weakening of the anti-

No target of printing new notes worth entire Rs 15.44 lakh cr: Government New Delhi, December 15 (iANS): The Union government on Thursday said that it has no intention of printing new notes worth the entire Rs 15.44 lakh crore, that was in circulation in high denomination notes before demonetisation. "The remonetisation will be as per requirement. There is no target that we have to reach (print) Rs 15 lakh crore," Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told reporters here. "The government has given significant push to digitisation and digital payments. So the requirement of the cash will be measured and according to that it will be pushed into circulation," he added. Das said that by December-end, government would have put about 50 per cent of Rs 15.44 lakh crore in circulation. "Roughly in another week or 10 days, or let's say by end of December, about 50 per cent of the notes will be supplied back in circulation. Roughly, more than Rs 5 lakh crore have been given to the markets already," he added. graft mechanism. The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, was first brought in 2013 and the Cabinet has approved the changes proposed by a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha. The changes will dilute and defeat the whole purpose of the law, said Yadav.

Various non-profit organisations and think-tanks are learnt to have made recommendations and suggestions to the government opposing the dilution of the Act. The Bill has an new section that bars investigating agencies from initiating an inquiry or investigation

against a public servant without the prior approval of the competent authority, which effectively means the political bosses, Yadav said, terming this the babu-neta nexus to protect the corrupt. The existing law requires approval from a higher authority before prosecuting

any public servant to protect honest officers from harassment, persecution and frivolous litigation. The new Bill requires a court order to sanction prosecution against a corrupt public servant, which, Yadav said, would discourage victims of corruption and activists from prosecuting such individuals. Priyanka Rao, a senior researcher with PRS Legislative Research, a not-for-profit outfit, termed the sanction before prosecution as "standard" but expressed concern over the proposed approval before inquiry or investigation. The amendment has done away with the protection cover to the bribe-giver against prosecution and makes both the bribe-giver and the bribe-taker equally punishable, which would deter the former -- the victim -- from speaking out in cases against public servants, Yadav contended.

New Delhi, December 15 (iANS): India on Thursday reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a bilateral issue and technical questions and differences should be resolved bilaterally. "India has always believed that the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty, which includes the redressal of the technical questions and differences, should be done bilaterally between India and Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in his weekly media briefing here. "There are examples available where such matters had been successfully resolved bilaterally within the Permanent Indus Commission (such as the height of the freeboard for Kishan Ganga) or between the two governments as seen in the Salal Hydro Electric Project in 1978," he said. Earlier this week, the World Bank Group, which had brokered the 1960 treaty, announced a pause in the separate processes initiated by India and Pakistan to allow the two countries to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements. According to a statement issued by the World Bank, the announcement temporarily halts the appointment of a neutral expert, as requested by India, and the chairman of the Court of Arbitration as requested by Pakistan, to resolve issues regarding the two power plants under construction by India along the Indus rivers system. Following the September 18 cross-border terror attack on an army base at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of 19 Indian soldiers, New Delhi, which blamed Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad, said that it would consider revisiting the Indus Waters Treaty, under which India has control over three eastern rivers -- Beas, Ravi and Sutlej -- all flowing from Punjab and Pakistan, controls the western rivers of the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum that flow from Jammu and Kashmir. The IWT was seen as one of the most successful international treaties and has withstood frequent tensions between India and Pakistan, including conflict.

Can't grow beard in armed forces on religious ground: SC New Delhi, December 15 (iANS): The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea by an IAF personnel seeking to grow a beard and said that the IAF's policies on personal appearance were not intended to discriminate against religious beliefs. "Regulation and policies in regard to personal appearances are not intended to discriminate against religious beliefs, nor do they have the affect of doing so," a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice L. Nageswara Rao said while rejecting the plea by Mohammed Zubair. Zubair, who joined the Indian Air Force on December 19, 2001, has since been discharged from service. Zubair had on January 10, 2005, applied for permission to sport a beard but the plea was rejected by the

Air Officer Commanding. He subsequently challenged in the court the directions to shave off his beard. "Their (regulation and policies) object and purpose is to ensure uniformity, cohesiveness, discipline and order which are indispensable to the Air Force, as indeed to every armed force," the ruling said. The petitioner had moved the apex court to challenge the Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment that held that maintaining a beard was not an integral part of the religion professed by him. The High Court further held that the matter pertained to the Armed Forces, where a certain degree of discipline had to be maintained, and that the rules and regulations broadly accommodate "the basic interest of various religions in a secular manner".

Prez emphasises women empowerment New Delhi, December 15 (iANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday stressed the necessity of educating women, providing them economic independence, and legal rights and social awareness for their empowerment. The President expressed his views while meeting a delegation from Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Speaking on the occasion, Mukherjee congratulated the YFLO for its enthusiasm and encouragement to an important cause and said "a society which cannot respect women cannot be called a civilised society". Outlining the steps to empower women, he said the first and foremost necessity was education of women, which would help them to understand their problems and develop in them consciousness to look

for solutions. He mentioned economic independence as the second necessity to make women independent. "On many occasions, the economic value of the contribution of women is not highlighted. The contribution of women is also not highlighted through services which are not accounted for in economic terms. This should be changed," the President said. He described legal rights granted to women through various laws as the third aspect which is important for their empowerment. Mukherjee said that creation of social awareness in this regard, is the fourth necessity. "The need was for involvement of all sections of society in order to sensitize people to give women their due and empower them. It was necessary to change the mental frame and do away with prejudices," he said.

Corruption, caste keep poor from owning land in northern India KAchhiDih, December 15 (ThomSoN reuTerS FouNDATioN): For decades, Kunta lived in a hut outside Kachhidih village in Uttar Pradesh, enduring the insults of higher-caste villagers who claimed her land - which she did not legally own - for grazing cattle. She dreamed of owning just a small piece of land for her family who belong to the traditionally low-caste Dalit group. Six months ago, Kunta got her wish when the state allocated her family and eight others small plots of land a few kilometres (miles) away from their old home, after months of delays. Kunta was finally a landowner with her name on the title. Reached by a dirt track through a field, the land is some distance from the highway. There is one solar lamp post and a hand pump spewing muddy wa-

ter. Huts cobbled together with straw, mud and plastic offer scant protection from the winter chill. Yet Kunta, who goes by her first name, is hopeful. "The place we lived in before was our home for many years, but it did not belong to us. The villagers harassed us and officials asked us for bribes in exchange for titles," she said. "This is our land; perhaps we can save some money, plan for our future, for our children. No one can chase us away because we own this land," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Landless Dalits like Kunta are at the bottom of India's age-old social hierarchy, denied land ownership and facing slights and discrimination every day from upper-caste Hindus. Despite evidence linking landlessness and poverty, and laws to help people secure small plots of land on which to build a

home and eke out a living, roughly 56 percent of India's rural households -about 100 million families -- remain landless. Most belong to lowcaste or indigenous communities. "The main issue is not non-availability of land, it is corruption and caste," said Ramesh Sharma, a senior official at rights group Ekta Parishad, which has lobbied the government for years for land for the landless poor. "Getting land allocated is in itself a challenge, then local revenue officials often ask for bribes to release the titles. High-caste villagers may object and delay it further because they just don't want these people to get land," he said. HOMESTEAD PLOTS Uttar Pradesh is the country's most populous state, with a population of about 200 million. Dalits make up more than a fifth

of the state's population, but wield little power. India banned castebased discrimination in 1955, but centuries-old attitudes persist, and lowercaste groups including Dalits are among the most marginalised communities. But Sarnath Prajapati, a revenue officer of the state, denied that caste is keeping Dalits from getting land, or that there are long delays and corruption in land allocation. "We have allocated land to the maximum extent possible. It is a priority for the state," Prajapati said. "Sometimes, the land that is allocated may be in use by someone. Then we talk to them, and that takes time. Sometimes we have to bring the police to resolve the situation," he said. Activist Jignesh Mevani is leading a campaign for land, asking that states give 5 acres (2 hectares) of land

to each landless Dalit family so they can earn a living. The previous federal government had drafted a National Rural Homestead Bill in 2013 to provide plots measuring about 4,400 square metres (47,361 sq ft) each to landless families. But the draft bill was never presented in parliament for approval. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came to power in 2014, met Ekta Parishad officials earlier this year and assured them that the bill remained a priority, Sharma said. A few states including West Bengal, Odisha and Karnataka have drawn up their own laws for land allocation, giving government land and excess private land to the landless. Homestead plots, measuring just one-tenth of an acre, can deliver "significant economic and nutritional benefits", with space to grow food, build a home, keep small livestock, and

for other livelihood options, according to land advocacy Landesa. But in India's fast growing economy, demand for land for industrial and development projects is increasing, and land allocation is beset with challenges, Landesa said. "Identification of the landless is challenging, available land for distribution is often encroached upon by dominant interests and land management committees are often not functional," said Shipra Deo, Landesa's Uttar Pradesh director. "Above all, caste is a big factor and very difficult to overcome, as it is so entrenched and so sensitive," she said. 'BAD PEOPLE' In Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur district, landless Dalits bear the brunt of this ancient caste discrimination. In Kachhidih village and Tardih village, Dalits

are not allowed to work or live close to higher-caste people. In Kachhidih, one Dalit man was beaten up so badly after his goat entered someone else's land that he is now bedridden and cannot work, Kunta said. Land allocated to Kunta and her neighbours was not handed over for months as other villagers argued over the proximity of the land to their fields, said village headman Madhukar Dwivedi. More than 100 families are still awaiting their titles for land that has been allocated to them, he said. "In our society, there are good people and bad people. Some people don't want these people to get land, they just want them to live under them, in their control always," Dwivedi said. "I want to give the titles, but I have to get the backing of the village council. There is a system, and not every-

one in the system supports giving them titles," he said. It is the same situation in Tardih, where members of the semi-nomadic Nat community who lived for decades near the village, faced harassment and delays in getting their land titles, said Najma Ahmed, one of the oldest residents. Five families recently received titles to small plots of land some distance from the village, and have built rickety huts a few metres from a stagnant pool covered in green slime. "The villagers said we were living on their land for free. But they wouldn't let us work there," said Ahmed, who like other women in this Muslim community wears glass bangles and a red sindoor on her forehead like married Hindu women do. "At least here we can build homes, give them to our kids. It isn't much, but where else can we go? This is all we have."

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WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

‘China installs weapons systems on artificial islands’ WASHINGTON, December 15 (re uTerS): China appears to have installed weapons, including anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, on all seven of the artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea, a U.S. think tank reported on Wednesday, citing new satellite imagery. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said its findings come despite statements by the Chinese leadership that Beijing has no intention to militarize the islands in the strategic trade route, where territory is claimed by several countries. AMTI said it had been tracking construction of hexagonal structures on Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi reefs in the Spratly Islands since June and July. China has already built military length airstrips on these islands. “It now seems that these structures are an evolution of point-defense fortifications already constructed at China’s smaller facilities on Gaven, Hughes, Johnson, and Cuarteron reefs,” it said citing images taken in November and made available to Reuters. “This model has gone through another evolution at (the) much-larger bases on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief reefs.” Satellite images of Hughes and Gaven reefs showed what appeared to be anti-aircraft guns and what were likely to be close-in weapons systems (CIWS) to protect against cruise missile strikes, it said. Images from Fiery

Chinese ambassador warns the US: Sovereignty not a ‘bargaining chip’

A satellite image shows what CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative says appears to be anti-aircraft guns and what are likely to be close-in weapons systems (CIWS) on the artificial island Subi Reef in the South China Sea in this image released on December 13, 2016. (REUTERS Photo)

Cross Reef showed towers that likely contained targeting radar, it said. AMTI said covers had been installed on the towers at Fiery Cross, but the size of platforms on these and the covers suggested they concealed defense systems similar to those at the smaller reefs. “These gun and probable CIWS emplacements show that Beijing is serious about defense of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea,” it said. “Among other things, they would be the last line of defense against cruise missiles launched by the

United States or others months trying to figure out against these soon-to-be- what the purposes of the operational air bases.” structures was. “This is the first time PHILIPPINES CON- that we’re confident in sayCERNED ing they are anti-aircraft Philippine Foreign Af- and CIWS emplacements. fairs spokesperson Charles We did not know that they Jose told Reuters they were had systems this big and still verifying the report. this advanced there,” he “But if report is true, told Reuters. then it is a cause for serious “This is militarization. concern because it tends to The Chinese can argue that raise tension and under- it’s only for defensive purmine peace and stability in poses, but if you are buildthe region,” Jose said. ing giant anti-aircraft gun Vietnam’s foreign min- and CIWS emplacements, istry did not immediately it means that you are preprespond to requests for ping for a future conflict. comment. “They keep saying they AMTI director Greg are not militarizing, but Poling said AMTI had spent they could deploy fight-

er jets and surface-to-air missiles tomorrow if they wanted to,” he said. “Now they have all the infrastructure in place for these interlocking rings of defense and power projection.”The report said the installations would likely back up a defensive umbrella provided by a future deployment of mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) platforms like the HQ-9 system deployed to Woody Island in the Paracel Islands, farther to the north in the South China Sea. It forecast that such a deployment could happen “at any time,” noting a recent Fox News report that com-

WASHINGTON, December 15 (reuTerS): In a veiled warning to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, China’s ambassador to the United States said on Wednesday that Beijing would never bargain with Washington over issues involving its national sovereignty or territorial integrity. Ambassador Cui Tiankai, speaking to executives of top U.S. companies, said China and the United States needed to work to strengthen their relationship. “The political foundation of China-U.S. relations should not be undermined. It should be preserved,” Cui said. “And basic norms of international relations should be observed, not ignored, certainly not be seen as something you can trade off,” he said. “And indeed, national sovereignty and territorial integrity are not bargaining chips. Absolutely not. I hope everybody would understand that.” He did not specifically mention Taiwan, or Trump’s comments last weekend that the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its nearly four-decade policy of recognizing that Taiwan is part of “one China.” Cui’s remarks were in line with recent protests from China’s Foreign Ministry, which regards the “one China” ponents for SAM systems have been spotted at the southeastern Chinese port of Jieyang, possibly destined for the South China Sea. Singapore-based South China Sea expert Ian Storey said he believed the move would help ready the facilities for the probable next step of China flying jet fighters and military transport planes to its new runways. “From the outset it’s been quite obvious that the artificial islands were designed to serve as military outposts in the South China Sea,” said Storey, of the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute. “Even while tensions

Aleppo evacuation mission under way after convoy attacked ALePPO, SYrIA/beIruT, December 15 (reuTerS): An operation to evacuate thousands of civilians and fighters from the last rebel bastion in Aleppo was under way on Thursday despite an earlier attack on a medical convoy by pro-government forces. As buses and ambulances moved into the besieged enclave, the International Committee of the Red Cross said efforts to evacuate around 200 wounded people, part of a wider ceasefire deal, had begun. Russia, a major ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said the evacuation of 5,000 Syrian rebels and their family members from eastern Aleppo had started. Earlier, ambulances trying to evacuate people came under fire from fighters loyal to the Syrian government, who injured three people, a rescue service spokesman said. The evacuation of Aleppo’s last rebel enclave would end years of fighting for the city and mark a major victory for Assad. “Thousands of people are in need of evacuation, but the first and most urgent thing is wounded, sick and children, including orphans,” said Jan Egeland, the U.N. humanitarian adviser for Syria. A Reuters witness in the government-controlled part of the city said columns of black smoke could be seen

rising from the rebel-held area. Residents hoping to be taken out have been burning personal belongings they cannot take with them and do not want to leave for government forces to loot. “Outside every building you see a small fire, papers, women’s clothes,” one resident told Reuters. RUSSIAN DRONES Russian soldiers were preparing to lead rebels out of Aleppo, the defence ministry in Moscow said. Syria had guaranteed the safety of rebels and their families, who would be taken towards Idlib, a city in northwestern Syria which is outside government control. Russia would use drones to monitor rebels and their families being transported in buses and ambulances along a humanitarian corridor, the ministry said. The evacuation agreement would include the safe passage of wounded from the Shi’ite villages of Foua and Kefraya near Idlib that are besieged by rebels, according to a military media unit run by Hezbollah, a group allied to Assad. A convoy set off to evacuate the villages on Thursday, Syrian state media said. On Wednesday, rebels attributed the hold up of the ceasefire and evacuation of the insurgent area of Aleppo to

demands by Iranian-backed militias that the wounded in Foua and Kefraya should be taken to government areas. Efforts to evacuate eastern Aleppo began earlier in the week with a truce brokered by Russia, Assad’s most powerful ally, and Turkey, which has backed the opposition. That agreement broke down following renewed fighting on Wednesday and the evacuation did not take place then as planned. An official from the Jabha Shamiya rebel group said a new truce came into effect at 2.30am (0030GMT) on Thursday. Shortly before the new deal was announced, clashes raged in Aleppo. Government forces made a new advance in Sukkari - one of a handful of districts still held by rebels - and brought half of the neighbourhood under their control, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. The Russian defence ministry said - before the report of the government forces’ advance in Sukkari - that the rebels controlled an enclave of only 2.5 square km (1 square mile). RAPID ADVANCES The evacuation plan was the culmination of two weeks of rapid advances by the Syrian army and its allies that drove insurgents back into an ever-

smaller pocket of the city under intense air strikes and artillery fire. By taking control of Aleppo, Assad has proved the power of his military coalition, aided by Russia’s air force and an array of Shi’ite militias from across the region. Rebels have been backed by the United States, Turkey and Gulf monarchies, but that support has fallen far short of the direct military assistance given to Assad by Russia and Iran. Russia’s decision to deploy its air force to Syria more than a year ago turned the war in Assad’s favour after rebel advances across western Syria. In addition to Aleppo, he has won back insurgent strongholds near Damascus this year. The government and its allies have focused the bulk of their firepower on fighting rebels in western Syria rather than Islamic State, which this week managed to take back the ancient city of Palmyra, once again illustrating the challenge Assad faces reestablishing control over all Syria. Carla del Ponte, a U.N. investigator and former U.N. war crimes prosecutor, told German newspaper Die Zeit that Russian and Syrian bombing of homes, hospitals and schools amounted to war crimes, as did the starving of parts of Aleppo for months by militias loyal to the government.

Rohingya insurgency has links to Saudi, Pak: report says

A man demonstrating against the United States for its use of the term Rohingya to describe Myanmar’s stateless Muslim community outside of the U.S. embassy in Yangon. (REUTERS File Photo)

YANGON, December 15 (reuTerS): A group of Rohingya Muslims that attacked Myanmar border guards in October is headed by people with links to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the International Crisis Group (ICG) said on Thursday, citing members of the group. The coordinated attacks on

Oct. 9 killed nine policemen, and sparked a crackdown by security forces in Muslim-majority Rakhine State in northwest Myanmar. At least 86 people have been killed, according to state media, and the United Nations has estimated 27,000 members of the largely stateless Rohing-

ya minority have fled across the border to Bangladesh. Predominantly Buddhist Myanmar’s government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, blamed Rohingyas supported by foreign militants for the Oct. 9 attacks, but has issued scant further information about the assailants it called “terrorists”. A group calling itself Harakah al-Yakin claimed responsibility for the attacks in video statements and the Brusselsbased ICG said it had interviewed four members of the group in Rakhine State and two outside Myanmar, as well as individuals in contact with members via messaging apps. The Harakah al-Yakin, or Faith Movement, was formed after communal violence in 2012 in which more than 100 people were killed and about 140,000 displaced in Rakhine State, most of them Rohingya, the group said. Rohingya who have fought in other conflicts, as well as Pakistanis or Afghans, gave

clandestine training to villagers in northern Rakhine over two years ahead of the attacks, it said. “It included weapons use, guerrilla tactics and, HaY members and trainees report, a particular focus on explosives and IEDs,” the group said, referring to improvised explosive devices. It identified Harakah al-Yakin’s leader, who has appeared prominently in a series of nine videos posted online, as Ata Ullah, born in Karachi, Pakistan, to a Rohingya migrant father before moving as a child to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. “Though not confirmed, there are indications he went to Pakistan and possibly elsewhere, and that he received practical training in modern guerrilla warfare,” the group said, noting that Ata Ullah was one of 20 Rohingya from Saudi Arabia leading the group’s operations in Rakhine State. Separately, a committee of 20 senior Rohingya emigres oversees the group, which has

its headquarters in Mecca, the ICG said. Groups like Islamic State and al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent have referred to the plight of the Rohingya in their material, and the battlefield experience of at least some of the Rohingya fighters implied links to international militants, the ICG said. However, ICG said the group has notably not engaged in attacks on the civilian Buddhist population in Rakhine. And Harakah al-Yakin’s statements to date indicate its main goals are to end the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar and secure the minority’s citizenship status. “It is possible, however, that its objectives could evolve, given its appeals to religious legitimacy and links to international jihadist groups, so it is essential that government efforts do not focus only or primarily on military approaches, but also address underlying community grievances and suffering,” the ICG said.

principle as the “political basis” for U.S.China ties.. Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. China considers Taiwan independence a red line issue. On Thursday, China’s influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said China needed to take the lead in deciding the island’s future. “It is hoped that peace in the Taiwan Straits won’t be disrupted. But the Chinese mainland should display its resolution to recover Taiwan by force. Peace does not belong to cowards,” it said in an editorial. Trump, in an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” suggested that the U.S. position on Taiwan could become part of his pledge to negotiate more favorable trade terms with China. “I fully understand the ‘one China’ policy, but I don’t know why we have to be bound by a ‘one China’ policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade,” Trump said. Trump’s comments came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call from Taiwan’s president on Dec. 2.

are at a relatively low ebb, I think we can expect to see military flights to the Spratlys in the coming months – including the first jet fighters,” Storey said. China has said military construction on the islands will be limited to necessary defensive requirements. The United States has criticized what it called China’s militarization of its maritime outposts and stressed the need for freedom of navigation by conducting periodic air and naval patrols near them that have angered Beijing. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has also

criticized Chinese behavior in the South China Sea while signaling he may adopt a tougher approach to China’s assertive behavior in the region than President Barack Obama. The State Department said it would not comment on intelligence matters, but spokesman John Kirby added: “We consistently call on China as well as other claimants to commit to peacefully managing and resolving disputes, to refrain from further land reclamation and construction of new facilities and the militarization of disputed features.”

‘Duterte’s admission he killed criminals an impeachable offence’

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte toasts during a signing ceremony between Cambodia-Philippine at the Prime Minister’s office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on December 14. (REUTERS Photo)

mANILA, December 15 (reuTerS): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte risks impeachment after he admitted “personally” killing criminals when he was the mayor of Davao City, said two Philippine senators. The firebrand leader boasted to business leaders on Monday that as Davao City mayor he used to prowl the streets on a big motorcycle looking for “an encounter to kill” just to show to local law enforcers he can do it. “I used to do it personally,” Duterte said. “If I can do it why can’t you?” More than 2,000 people have been killed in police anti-drug operations since Duterte became president in July. Almost all were shot when they resisted arrest. Another 3,000 deaths are under investigation, with critics calling them vigilante killings. Senator Leila de Lima, a staunch critic of Duterte, said the president’s admission could be a ground for impeachment. “That is betrayal of public trust and that constitutes high crimes because mass murders certainly fall into the category of high crimes. And high crimes is a ground for impeachment under the constitution,” de Lima told CNN on Thursday. Senator Richard Gordon, who heads the senate justice committee, also said Duterte opened himself to possible impeachment proceedings following his controversial comments. “When he says that, he’s opening himself up, so what’s the legal way, then go ahead and impeach him,” he told reporters, adding he was not surprised by the statement. Duterte’s allies in Congress dared the president’s opponents and critics to file an impeachment motion, saying removing the leader through a political process is a numbers game. There are less than 50 opposition lawmakers in the 293-member lower house of Congress. A two-thirds vote is needed to impeach a president. Peter Wallace, who organised the business forum where Duterte spoke, thought the president’s statement was his “usual bravado.” “He talked as he often does about drugs, and killings and criminality. And we had expected that he would but we were there not to listen to that,” Wallace told Reuters by phone. “We were there to talk to him or listen to him about business issues and I was pleased that...he moved on to those subjects,” he said. Justice Minister Vitaliano Aguirre dismissed Duterte’s statement as an exaggeration. “It’s like a hyperbole, that’s the president, he is used to exaggerate just to put his message across,” Aguirre was quoted in radio reports as saying on Thursday. Even if that were true, Aquirre said it did not necessarily mean that he violated the law. “It could be done with a justifiable cause and justified circumstances as a public officer in order to arrest but if they resisted. He must have been forced,” Aquirre said, referring to Duterte.

FRIDAY 16•12•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Harden's record triple-double powers rockets Los AngeLes, December 15 (AFP): James Harden matched the franchise record for career triple-doubles to lead the Houston Rockets to a dominating 13298 victory over the shortha n d e d Sa c ra m e nt o Kings on Wednesday. Harden finished with 15 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds to post his 14th career triple-double and equal the mark set by NBA Hall of Fame centre Hakeem Olajuwon. Harden needed only 30 minutes to deliver his fifth triple-double on the season in front of a crowd of 15,000 at the Rockets' Toyota Center arena. And the Rockets produced a season-high 40 assists on 50 field goals, their most since February 1995. "Everybody is getting shots, everybody is scoring the basketball. Everybody is happy," Harden said. The Rockets improved to 19-7 on the season and won their eighth consecutive game. Houston also flirted with the NBA record for three-pointers, hitting 22 of 42 from behind the arc while cruising to the win. The Rockets extended their league record for consecutive games with at least 10 three-pointers at the 7:13 mark of the second quarter on a three from

Lakers coach fined for in-game outburst new York, December 15 (AFP): Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton has been fined $15,000 (14,280 euros) for verbally abusing a game official and failing to leave the court promptly when he was tossed from Monday's loss to the Sacramento Kings. The NBA announced the fine on Wednesday, two days after Walton was slapped with a double technical foul in the first quarter of the 116-92 defeat in Sacramento. Seven technical fouls called in the game -- six of them against the Lakers. With 4:14 remaining in the first quarter, the ill-feeling spawned by the first Kings-Lakers meeting of the season re-emerged as Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins grabbed the arms of Lakers forward Julius Randle, causing him to fall.

Rockets guard James Harden, center, finds a passing lane around Kings center Kosta Koufos on Wednesday at Toyota Center. Harden has become a triple-double machine this season with five. (Houston Chronicle)

Sam Dekker. Forward Ryan Anderson led all five Houston starters in double figures with 22 points. He was four for seven from three-point range while forward Trevor Ariza finished five-for-sev-

en from beyond the arc. Elsewhere in San Antonio, Texas, Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points as the San Antonio Spurs held on for a 108-101 win over the Boston Celtics at the AT&T Center arena.

Pau Gasol added 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Tony Parker had eight points in a twoand-a-half-minute stretch of the fourth quarter to help San Antonio withstand a Celtics comeback try.

Parker finished with 16 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter as San Antonio improved to 20-5 on the season. Manu Ginobili added 12 points and Dewayne Dedmon and Patty Mills had 10 each. In Salt Lake City, Rodney Hood scored 25 points and Gordon Hayward added 17 to lead the Utah Jazz to a 109-89 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shelvin Mack added 15 points and five assists

Luke Walton (AFP Photo)

Walton, angry that no foul was called, strode to the center of the court and berated the officials as Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson tried to hold him back. Immediately after the game, Wal-

off the bench while Rudy Gobert notched his 16th double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Utah led from start to finish while shooting 58.3 percent from the field and 13-of-23 from three-point range. Russell Westbrook tallied 27 points, six rebounds and five assists for Oklahoma City. Enes Kanter added 19 points off the bench for the Thunder, who lost for the

ton was unrepentant. "What happened on the floor wasn't right," Walton said on Monday night. "If I feel like something's not right, I'm going to stand up for our guys."

third time in four games. - Cavs happy to gift game to Grizzlies In Memphis, Marc Gasol posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds to power the Memphis Grizzlies to an easy 9385 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers who played without their three stars LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers decided to give the three the night off and it showed as Cleve-

land never led in the game and trailed by 25 points in the fourth quarter. Memphis got a gamehigh 20 points from guard Troy Daniels off the bench and he hit four of eight three-pointers. Swingman Tony Allen finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, three steals, an assist and a block. Guard Toney Douglas chipped in 14 points with six rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Grizzlies.

public discourse

SANGTAM'S EXTRAORDINARILY INSIGHTFUL ANALYSIS OF NAGA NATIONALISM

ver the last nine months, since my first article in The Morung Express on April 4, 2016, I have been arguing that the Naga nationalist movement is doomed to failure due to factors outside of the Naga community, especially the attitude of the government of India (GoI). I have discussed the probable inaction of other nations to assist the Nagas if the GoI tried to suppress another Naga nationalist action similar to the one from the 1950s and '60s, and have explained that the failure of such a movement will not necessarily be because the Nagas have made a meritless case for a sovereign nation, but because of all these external factors that I have been discussing. Earlier in the evening, however, in The Morung Express, an article dated December 13, 2016, and written by Dr.

Salikyu Sangtam, appeared. It is titled, “Naga Nationalism and the Death of God: A Reflection.” It is quite extraordinary, and argues, in my analysis, against the Naga nationalist movement, not on the grounds that I've been using, factors external to the Naga community, but on the unique grounds that the Naga nationalist movement is built on a weak foundation, with no solidity, no true feelings in the heart of Nagas, simply an abstract movement used as a substitute for a belief in God and doomed to failure. This is an analysis that should be mandatory reading for any activist in the Naga nationalist movement, and for any Naga person who (as a Naga who just earlier tonight e-mailed me from Nagaland with the same words) feels that the Naga nationalist movement is not just a national movement

but a religious one as well. mean, we are still confused about we need something else to reI will briefly outline the words I who we are....” place the God we've killed, for the consider key to Sangtam's analysis, • As long as the Nagas identify more divine exists no more. Nationalbut warn the reader that the only strongly with their individual ism is the new god; thus, we've got thing that will give you a sense of the “tribes, clans, kinships, etc... all the tribal churches, church councils richness of his argument is to read his talk about Naga Nationalism will peand associations vehemently and whole article. rennially remain an abstract idea.” zealously advocating Naga Na• “...Christianity failed to negate tribal • “...how can unity be realized when tionalism....[T]hey fanatically caidentities....It failed to realize that man we conform to an ideal or a label ter to worship and sing paeans to is inherently bad and is inherently we've created for our own selfish sotheir new god: Naga Nationalism. prone to divisions. Thus, our society cial, political,and economic gains. We've put in God's place, with the today...is highly divided: tribalistic.” This is why, as history has shown, no most enthusiastic help from the • “With Christianity failing to ascersense of collective or group identity church, an abstract ideal that cantain a sense of oneness with one insurvives. It shows the intrinsic fallinot come to pass.” divisible identity, the obvious natubility of us and our ideals—religion, In the 19 months since I made my ral successor became nationalism: nationalism, or otherwise.” first of four trips to Nagaland (with a Naga Nationalism....[N]ationalism • Sangtam concludes, “Thus, we fifth commencing February 5, 2017), became the new god, the religion see the insincerity of the churches and the literally hundreds of articles after the 'death of God.' Neverand the ascent of abstract ideals I've read on the Naga nationalist theless, the problem is that Nagas such as nationalism. For Nagas, movement, I've never read a better have, at best, an inchoate idennationalism is seen to be divine, a analysis of the fetishism by all activtity about themselves. By which I divine calling. It is divine because ists in the Naga nationalist movement

of that movement, and of the dogmatic approach to Naga nationalism by the activists, and all their followers, against any and all facts, against any view of reality, that might weaken their obsessive dream of a sovereign Naga nation. Where I have tried to introduce facts and reality into the discussion of a Naga nation, trying to show the the impossibility of such a nation becoming a reality, Sangtam has offered all readers of this article the emotional and intellectual basis for the Naga national obsession, explaining to all who will listen with an open mind (an oxymoron, seemingly, to a Naga nationalist), that the disease of Naga nationalism is not the answer to the Naga peoples' understandable drive for identity. ROBERT A. SILVERSTEIN

A Church Build by A Muslim Lady Dear Nagaland Government

egum Farzana Joana Sumru was a daughter of a Muslim noble man. She was born in 1750 in India. Since she was from a well to do family, she was well cultured and a devoted Muslim. She was a beauty in the eye of many beholders. She lived a life full of love affairs, intrigues and even attempted suicide. She was not destined to die early. All Mighty God has a purpose for every person of His creation irrespective of faiths. She lived long and died in 1836. Begum Sumru married Walter Rainhardt, a not so respectable foreign adventurer and a soldier of fortune. He commanded his own body of troops and offered services to local chieftains and kings for a price. His last service was to Shah Alam, the Moghul Emperor of Delhi who awarded him the jagir of Sardhana, some twenty kilometers away from the present city of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. After the death of Walter in 1778 the command of the European officers and the troops along with the principality of Sardhana passed on to Begum Sumru. After the death of her first husband she converted to Christianity and took on the name Joana. Soon she fell in love with a French officer whom she married in 1793. When revolted by her soldiers, her French husband committed suicide but her attempt to follow her husband end-

ed only in wounding herself. She was captured and tied to a gun carriage and allowed her to suffer by her rebellious troops. But she being the child of destiny she not only survived but thrived to fame. Her visitors were the rich and famous of her time. The then Governor General of India, Lord William Bentinck wrote to her praising her, “benevolence of disposition and the extensive charity have endeared you to thousands”. In 1803 Begum Sumru entered into a treaty with British India for protection of Sardhana jagirdom and the wealth therein. She converted the revenue generated from Sardhana into philanthropic work. Her long dream and desire to build a church in honour of Mother Mary was fulfilled in 1822 when an Italian architect Anthony Reghelini build the desired church for her at Sardhana. Today, one can take a guided tour of the church for Re.1/-. On display are the vestment presented to her by the Moghul Emperor Shah Alam 11 and many others. But the most sacred one is the image of The Virgin Mary which Pope John XX111 declared in 1961 along with the church Basilica as the “most illustrious ornament in the church”. Two of her palaces survives till date – one is a seminary where future priests are trained and the other a boys’ school. The church built by her is called the church of Our

Lady Of Graces attracting worshippers from all faiths seeking blessings and even those who are in search of a quiet moment with God. The church holds twin attractions – (1) it was built by a Muslim woman who embraced Christianity and (2) the faithful come because a pilgrimage here is believed to bestow the gift of parenthood. “Mother Mary has been generous here”,says the faithful and the Parish Priest has no reason to disagree. There can be no religion without faith. And like all other religions, Christianity too is build upon of faith. Today the problems that the church faces in India with the Hindutva/ Sangh Parivar is partly rooted in the orthodox Christian faith who believe that the path to salvation for all human beings lies only through the Christian faith. They also uphold their divine mission to increase their flock by admitting more and more sinners into the church which can direct them to the kingdom of God. This reveals that other religions are misleading and not true. Such an attitude does not go well with Indian culture which has a long history of religious tolerance. Hinduism which form the religious faith of the majority of Indians have advocated that different religions offer different directions to reach God and salvation and even one’s sense of peace with one-

self. Orthodox Christianity finds itself with odds with this kind of perceived sense of superiority and dogmatism which contains seeds of confrontation. But in India the church is seen as a part of the country’s plural religious tradition. Despite controversy over the approach of the Orthodox Church, Christianity is an accepted and respected faith in India. This is largely due to the recognition given to the good work done by Christian missionaries among the poor and the wretched of India. Apart from St. Theresa (Mother Theresa), there are innumerable anonymous missionaries who have devoted their lives to charity and education. Many of these missionaries have shown their chosen paths to salvation through service and sacrifice to the poor and the downtrodden. They have upheld their beliefs in Jesus’ injunctions in the Sermon on the Mount that the weak shall inherit the earth and that the kingdom of Heaven belong to the poor in spirit. This has been the non orthodox face of the Christian faith. It has adopted for itself the Indian tradition of tolerance and plurality. There are Christian missionaries in India who work and believe like Jesus Christ that their kingdom is not of this world. Their path to salvation is through purity of heart and good work. At the end is the deed. Begum Sumru built this

small church at Sardhana, a non descript small town in Hindu heartland in good faith with a commission to do benevolent work among the needy. It has no architectural beauty. Even the façade of the church did not face the main entrance. But the true faithful simply look beyond the externals. In November they come in thousands from all over India for pilgrimage in honour of The Virgin Mary. This small town really comes alive with spiritual fervor. For devotees, irrespective of faiths pray, meditate, seek blessings and above all offer thanks-giving for all the blessings that were bestowed on them. Their faith are rested on the belief that – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Let this Christmas season be a season of pilgrimage for all Christians. Let everyone build a church for Him in his or her heart. Let your heart be the Holy Church for the Lord and Saviour to stay. And do not allow materialism to confront spiritualism like that of the Inn Keeper. The faith of Christianity is essentially the one who can say, “I have seen the Lord.” This is the day when one can see Him with an eye of faith. Behind the magnificence of the Visitors – the wise men from the east and the shepherds worshipping Him, there lies a deep spiritual significance worth contemplation. Mapu Jamir I.A.S. (Retd.)

am a good friend of you, a Yimchunger Naga. I am from a village called 'HUKER' which is unknown to you. It's been so long since we have met. Most of my people feel that the present government is the best, and we hope to see you even in the next. As a good friend and a child of you, I have some points as a reminder which is expected to be noted. Is "Hornbill festival" a festival of Nagaland? If no why is it called so? If yes why can't it be celebrated in other districts? It is only during Hornbill festival that Kohima becomes green, roads are modified, and walls are painted and so on. If it is celebrated in different places year after year it will develop and also be more fun. We would see more people of our own as in the case of present day system, 75% of the people present during the festival are outsiders because for our people everything is same every year. For eg "Huker village" (part of eastern Nagaland) under Tuensang district is a historical place where the first war of Naga independence broke out. If Hornbill was celebrated in the area every Nagas would like to visit such a place and the result of which will be more development in the area. Roads from Dimapur to Tuensang to Huker would be in tip top

condition at least during the festive season because it would be embarrassing if the foreigners travel to Huker through Tuensang in present condition. In the same way if it is celebrated in Mon district, the roads which are horrible now would be developed in a month. same in all the districts where there's no development at all. Education system and health care in my locality are horrible. Why to my people have to go to Kohima, Dimapur or outside to study? WHY? What about those less fortunate children who cannot effort to go out? Are they supposed to stay just like that and become nobody? Why can't we have proper educational institutions and enough teachers? why is there many educated unemployed youths? Why do my people have to go to same places for checkups? What about those who cannot effort to go out? Are they supposed to die just like that? Why can't we have good hospitals, enough good Doctors? Can't you see the deaths of my people every day? Can't you hear their cries? Dear Nagaland government, we're been neglected for too long. Schools, Hospitals and other offices are beginning to fade away as its pillars can no longer support its own roofs. Wild animals are beginning to settle in those areas.

Development is below average. It is an open secret that the roads of eastern Nagaland are the worst roads in the world. Walking on foot is easier but it even becomes impossible to walk during rainy season. If you think we are treated equally, kindly compare the roads between Kohima-Kisama and Tuensang-Huker. Are our representatives MUTE or are you not listening to them? Kindly let them speak and listen. There are many broken bridges and roads for which the government had already sanctioned the money but the works are yet to start, kindly check before it's too late. There are many attempts to put behind bars to those people who raise voice against those in power, for which many people swallow their own thoughts. These kind of corrupted officers have no place in the society. Remember, everything that goes up must come down. Dear Nagaland government we the people choose you because we believed in you but if you cannot perform your duty well and in time we can choose another. We hope and believed that you will treat us equally. Nobody' knows who's coming next. There's only one year of your time so kindly fulfill the promises that you have made during last election in your respective areas. SEE YOU SOON.

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.

Thsanthu T Yimchunger Naga Baptist College Kohima

Friday 16•12•2016

EntErtainmEnt

s e k a m p e e Meryl Str most Golden history withinations Globe nom

eryl Streep, who recently received her 30th Golden Globes nominations for 'Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture,' has made history with the most number of nods. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association nominated the 67-year-old 'Florence Foster Jenkins' star, who became the most-nominated performer in Golden Globes history in 2009 thanks to her double lead actress nominations for 'Doubt' and 'Mamma Mia!' which gave her 23 nominations and seven more since then. Streep also holds the records for most Golden Globe wins for her roles in 'Kramer vs. Karmer' (1979), 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' (1981), 'Sophie's Choice' (1982), 'Adaptation' (2002), 'Angels in America' (2003), 'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006), 'Julie & Julia' (2009) and 'The Iron Lady' (2010). Additionally, she will receive the 'Cecil B. Demille Award' at the '74th Golden Globe Award' this year. Other contenders in the award category include Annette Bening for her role in '20th Century Women', Lily Collins (Rules Don't Apply), Hailee Steinfeld (The Edge of Seventeen) and Emma Stone (La La Land). The 'Mamma Mia!' star summed up her excitement in a statement exclaiming, "AAAAGGGGHHHH!" Hugh Grant, who stars as Streep's husband and manager, also received a nomination for 'Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy') while the movie 'Florence Foster Jenkins' is up for 'Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.' The winners will be announced on January 8, 2017, when Jimmy Fallon hosts the big event live on NBC. Source: ANI

Students performs various musical presentations during the Hollotoli School Primary Wing (Nursery-Class 5) annual function cum academic awards giving ceremony which was held with the theme ‘Musical Symphony’ at the School auditorium on December 15. Some of the highlights of the event were ‘The world of rhymes’ - Nursery and preparatory; ‘Lord how can I repay’ – Primary; ‘A Christmas carol’ - junior and middle class (class 3-8); and ‘Glory to God’- Preparatory. (Photo by Manen Aier)

MUSIK-A’s Winter Recital

Some of the reviews from the audiences: "It was a home away from home for me. Never imagined in one of the remotest part of the world i would actually get to attend a musical play and hear Songs from Andrew Llyod Webber and Miserables. I wish to visit Musik A one day. Very impressive." -Raymond Pagnucco a visitor from the US. “Flawless” the whole production & programme flow was smooth & very entertaining. Enjoyed myself thoroughly. Wouldn’t expect less from the one & only Alobo Naga” –Atsa Lang Roths, Musician

n December 12, NEZCC Amphitheatre was filled with families, friends, well-wishers & music lovers to witness the first winter recital of MusikA (Alobo Naga School of music). One of the attractions of the night was the 45 member children choir aged 4-12 performing songs from Andrew Llyod Webber's Les miserables, Whistle in the wind, etc. Later joined the senior choir and the whole cast for the famous rendition of “Don’t stop believing” from GLEE in

the 60 minutes recital. It comprised music from baroque, classical to contemporary era. Guest artistes like Asin Shurhozelie, Colored keys, Aloke Yepthomi shared the stage with the students performing songs from

The Phantom of the opera, Glee, les miserable and latest songs from Adele, Sam Smith, Chain Smokers etc. along with Guitar ensemble, drum ensemble & piano recitals. Earlier Robert Longkumer, Pastor from Kids

worship centre blessed the occasion and Gugs Chishi, Director MTF did the exhortation. It may be mentioned that Musik-A school is barely 6 months old with almost 100 students, prepared for this show in a little more than a month.

"Barely 6 months old and been able to put up a show like that is very impressive. Very professionally done. Glad it started later than the scheduled time as it wasn't long plus with the goods lights it made the show grand and rich. For a while we felt we were in some other countries. Hoping to see more performance in the future." –Susan Lotha

C M Y K

James Basnet will be releasing his Christmas medley ‘Jingle Bell Time’ on December 16 with the lyric music video in Youtube and other social media. James and team have announced to the music lovers and everyone that this single can be downloaded for FREE as Christmas gift.

Now ShowiNg revIseD TICKeT rATes (silver) : `.120 (Gold) : `. 200 (recliner) : `. 400

ROgue One a STaR WaRS (engliSh)

(10:00 AM) (03:00 PM) (05:30 PM)

Wajah Tum hO (hindi)

(11:30 AM) (06:00 PM)

Students of Delhi Public School, Dimapur participates at the 2nd Edition of the Inter School Music Fest Nagaland 2016 (an open genre Choral Competition) on December 15 in the School Assembly Hall. DPS Dimapur emerged winner while The Maple Tree won the second place. (Morung Photo)

03862-237226 Ticket Counter (09:00 AM - 09:00 PM)

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Topeni presents special number at Advent Christmas programme of department of land resources in Kohima on December 15. (Morung Photo)

aCKnOWledgemenT

Ward 5 (6) Burma Camp, Landmark - Near J.K Hospital Dimapur. Power House.

Hillstar NOW SHOWING ROgue One a STaR WaRS [3d] (engliSh)

SZYO cultural troupe perform at Sechu Zubza Youth Organization 50th Day on December 15 as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations at WAPO Ground, Sechu Zubza. (Morung Photo)

Beyonce inspired Felicity Jones' 'Rogue One' role

ritish actress Felicity Jones says her 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' character is inspired by Beyonce. The 33-year-old actress looked to the 'Crazy In Love' singer when she was preparing to play Rebel Alliance fighter Jyn Erso in the hotly-anticipated movie. "I think she's someone who has incredible power and is devoted to what she does, but she also seems like a very nice person. I think that's very important to emulate particularly when I'm doing these scenes, I get really into it. When I'd get home, I wouldn't even realise. I think the adrenaline is pumping around your body so much. Then you get home and you're suddenly like, 'Wow, I've got quite a few bruises going on here.' " Source: PTI

The Angami Public organization would like to acknowledge all the government Departments, organizations and individuals involved in the hornbill Festival 2016 for making it a grand success. APo in particular would like to thank the District Administration and Police Personals for their tireless work and effective management of the event. APo would also like to thank all the various Event organizers, Tribal hohos and cultural troops for their excellent presentation and display at the hornbill Festival 2016. it was APo's prayer and wish all along that the event be a grand success and that the people Nagaland as well as from outside the state enjoy the rich tradition and culture of the Nagas. Finally and most important APo acknowledge and thank the general public for their cooperation and participation in making the hornbill Festival 2016 a grand success. APo also appreciates and thank the public on the issue of bursting crackers and it is APo's wish and request that people maintain the policy of no fire crackers this festive season to reduce environmental and noise pollution. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all. sd/Dr. vilhousa seleyi (President, APo)

sd/Neisakholie Ziephrü (secretary Info & Publicity, APo)

11:00 am | 05:00 PM

Wajah Tum hO (hindi)

02:00 PM | 08:00 PM

FRIDAY 16•12•2016

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Real book place in Perfect Club World Cup final

10 for Chelsea, Ibra rescues Man United

Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Club America. (Getty Images)

C M Y K

YokohaMa, DeceMber 15 (aFP): Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 500th club goal Thursday as Real Madrid eased past Mexico's Club America 2-0 to reach the Club World Cup final in Japan. The Spanish giants will face shock finalists Kashima Antlers, the J-League champions, in Yokohama on Sunday as they look to capture their second world title in three years and fifth in total. "Our sole aim was to reach the final -- so it's job done," Real coach Zinedine Zidane told reporters after goals from Karim Benzema and Ronaldo extended his side's club record unbeaten run to 36 matches in all competitions. Ronaldo, who scooped his fourth Ballon d'Or earlier this week, had already squandered a

gilt-edged opportunity by heading against the post. The Portuguese superstar also saw two stinging efforts blocked by goalkeeper Moises Munoz but his dogged persistence paid off when he swept home from a tight angle deep into injury time. Confusion followed, however, when it appeared the goal could be ruled out using the video technology being trialled by FIFA in Japan. Ronaldo's face turned to thunder as the Mexicans protested he had been offside -- until Paraguayan referee Enrique Caceres finally indicated that the goal stood. The 31-year-old Ronaldo has hit a remarkable 377 goals in 366 games for Real with 118 more in 292 games for Manchester United and five in 31 for Sporting before that.

lonDon, DeceMber 15 (aFP): Cesc Fabregas's goal earned Chelsea a 1-0 victory at Sunderland on Wednesday -- their 10th in succession -- as Antonio Conte's side surged six points clear at the Premier League summit. Fabregas, who came in for Nemanja Matic, curled in from Willian's 40thminute cut-back to establish Chelsea's longest winning run within the same league campaign since 2005-06. There were also wins for Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 88th-minute strike earned Manchester United a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace. Chelsea have won all 10 league games they gave played since losing 3-0 at Arsenal on September 24, keeping eight clean sheets. But it took a flying save from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to prevent Patrick van Aanholt snatching a point for bottom club Sunderland at the death. Conte's men are six points clear of Liverpool, who stole above Arsenal into second place courtesy of a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough in which Adam Lallana scored twice. Liverpool moved above Arsenal on goal difference, Arsene Wenger's side having lost 2-1 at Everton on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola's City hit back after successive defeats against Chelsea and champions Leicester City by winning 2-0 at home to Watford. City remain fourth, seven points adrift of Chelsea, but only a point below Liverpool and Arsenal.

Thibaut Courtois makes a stunning last-gasp save as Chelsea held on for a 10th league win in a row (Reuters Photo)

Tottenham are three points back in fifth place after Christian Eriksen scored twice in a 3-0 home win over Hull City, with Victor Wanyama also on target. Having beaten Spurs 1-0 on Sunday, United recorded back-to-back league wins for the first time since August by edging Palace to remain three points below Mauricio Pochettino's men in sixth place. Jose Mourinho's side went ahead in first-half stoppage time at Selhurst Park when Ibrahimovic chested down Juan Mata's free-

kick for Paul Pogba to score from close range. United were pegged back in the 66th minute when James McArthur beat David de Gea at his near post, but with full-time beckoning Pogba freed Ibrahimovic to dink home his 14th goal of the season. West Bromwich Albion climbed to the heady heights of seventh place after a hat-trick of headers by Salomon Rondon gave Tony Pulis's men a 3-1 home win over third-bottom Swansea City. The Venezuelan striker became

the first player to score a headed Premier League hat-trick since Everton's Duncan Ferguson in December 1997. Wayne Routledge replied for Swansea. West Ham pulled clear of the relegation zone after Mark Noble tucked away the rebound from his own penalty to secure a 1-0 home win over Burnley. Stoke City survived the 22ndminute dismissal of Marko Arnautovic for a studs-up lunge at Sofiane Boufal to secure a 0-0 draw at home to Southampton.

England's Anderson out of 5th Test SC may replace BCCI officials Man City's Ilkay Gundogan

chennaI, DeceMber 15 (aFP): England fast bowler James Anderson was ruled out of the fifth and final Test against India with "body soreness" on Thursday, dealing a blow to the tourists' hopes of a consolation win. Anderson missed the first game, a draw in Rajkot, with shoulder injury, and he has taken only four wickets in the next three Tests as India stormed to three straight wins to clinch the series. Anderson is England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker with 467 scalps in 122 matches.

England have had to deal with injuries to their first-choice bowlers right through the series with Stuart Broad hurting his foot during the second Test in Visakhapatnam. Broad is now racing against time to get fit for the final game in Chennai, where preparations were hit by the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Vardah on Monday. The ground staff at the MA Chidambaram Stadium have been working overtime to ensure the pitch and the outfield are ready for Friday's start.

‘Tour Adventure Rally’ held at Milak River

Vehicles under different categories in action at Milak River during the "Tour Adventure Rally" organised by Mokokchung District Sports Council (MDSC) in commemoration of 25th Anniversary of Nagaland Autumn Motor Rally on December 15. (DIPR Photo)

Mokokchung, DeceMber 15 (DIPr): Nagaland Autumn Motor Rally which started way back in 1991 has reached the milestone of 25 years. Commemorating the 25th Anniversary, Mokokchung District Sports Council (MDSC) organized “Tour Adventure Rally” at Milak River of Khar village on December 14. The Rally was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner & President MDSC, Sushil Kumar Patel from Imkongmeren Sports Complex in the morning after which the participants and vehicle enthusiast went down to the river via Mopungchuket village. After a warm welcome by the Khar village council at the spot, all the 47 participants (32 four wheelers and 15 two

wheelers) competed in the Motocross and Autocross events, held on TSD format Prizes were awarded to the winners from the amount garnered through voluntary contributions. Results Autocross (SUV): 1st – Lanusunep, 2nd – Kima, 3rd – Along Nokdir Car: 1st - Anga Shuya, 2nd – Aotemjen, 3rd – Mongro Imchen Motocross: 1st – L. Limaakum, 2nd – Imnalemba, 3rd – Tinuangshi Bike Balancing: 1st – Rizuner, 2nd – Imkongwati Lcr, 3rd – Imnalemba TSD: 1st – Maongkaba Jamir & Lipokzenla, 2nd – Anga Shuya & Longwe, 3rd – Kima Jamir & Lensa Imsong

with three-member committee

new DelhI, DeceMber 15 (Ians): The Supreme Court indicated on Thursday that it may replace the existing office-bearers of the Indian cricket board with a threemember committee as it asked the country's cricket governing body to suggest the probable names who could be included in the committee. The bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud sought names from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as it opposed making former Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai the observer to head the threemember committee to oversee implementation of the organisational reforms recommended by the Justice R.M. Lodha Committee. The court also made it clear that it has taken a dim view of the manner in which BCCI President Anuurag Thakur had tried to mislead the court and may haul him up for perjury. The apex court said that it was a case of perjury and fit for prosecution. Anurag Thakur is also a member of the Lok Sabha, elected from the Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh. Even as senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for

the BCCI, sought to apologise on behalf of the board chief, Chief Justice Thakur said, "You tell us ... you asked for a letter (from International Cricket Council (ICC) President Shashank Manohar) that the presence of the nominee of the CAG on the BCCI board amounted to government interference in the cricketing body's affairs." As Sibal tried to play it down suggesting that was not what the BCCI President meant, the Chief Justice said, "This is exactly what you meant. That is, the nominee of the CAG is government interference. Whom are you trying to... You ought to apologise, if you want to escape. We don't know what will happen." Brushing aside the repeated explanation offered by Sibal, the court asked him: "There was no occasion (for Anurag Thakur to seek clarification from ICC) as this court had directed. Where was the occasion for seeking clarification?" The matter relates to Anurag Thakur asking the ICC President to clarify on his position which he had taken as the BCCI chief that the presence of the CAG nominee on the board of the apex cricketing body would amount to government interference. Manohar, himself a

prominent Indian lawyer, had said that the position Thakur had taken as the BCCI president was when court was hearing the matter, but now there was a judgment and the question does not arise. Taking exception to the conduct of Anurag Thakur, the Chief Justice said: "You had sought the clarification so that you can return to us and say this is what the ICC feels about court's directions." The top court's observations came in the course of the hearing on the first and third status report submitted by the Justice Lodha Committee that had recommended superseding the existing BCCI officebearers, appointing Pillai as observer and setting up a three-member committee comprising the former union home secretary and two other people, including from the public, to run the affairs of the BCCI. Amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium had suggested the name of former cricketer Mohinder Amarnath as one of the members of the committee. While reserving the order on the deliberation on the recommendation by the Justice Lodha Committee, the apex court gave the BCCI a week's time to suggest the names.

facing 'several months' out Manchester, DeceMber 15 (aFP): Manchester City have been dealt a blow after German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan sustained a knee injury that manager Pep Guardiola fears will sideline him for "several months". The Germany international had to be substituted in the 44th minute of City's 2-0 Premier League win over Watford at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday after an accidental collision with Nordin Amrabat. Guardiola revealed afterwards he had sustained suspected knee ligament damage. "We are going to miss him for a long time," said Guardiola. "The doctors think he has ligament damage, but he doesn't know exactly (how serious it is). "We will know tomorrow (Thursday), but it doesn't look good. I think it will be several months. He is so sad about it."

Court fines Barcelona, closes Neymar's case barcelona, DeceMber 15 (Ians): A Barcelona court has said that FC Barcelona must pay two fines totalling 5.5 million euros ($5.8 million) for two tax offences committed in the signing of Neymar, in accordance with the agreement that the club already reached with the prosecution. After a brief hearing in which Barça's legal counsel, Ramon Gomez Ponti and lawyer Cristobal Martell, presented the agreement signed with the public prosecution, the court ratified the fine on Wednesday, reports Efe news agency. Under the agreement, which acquitted the former president of the club, Sandro Rosell, and the current one Josep Maria Bartomeu, Barça will pay a fine of $5.8 million for two offences against the public treasury in the fiscal years of 2011 and 2013, in the signing of Neymar. This ruling comes to repair the damage caused by Barça's tax offences, which amount to $13.86 million, and to establish measures to prevent similar offences from happening in the future.

Swee� Tiding� Basket of Goodies

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