December 21th, 2015 by The Morung Express

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www.morungexpress.com

MonDAY • DeceMber 21 • 2015

DIMAPUR • Vol. X • Issue 347 • 12 PAGes • 4

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ESTD. 2005

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T R u T H

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough — Albert Einstein Spaniards vote in unpredictable national election PAGE 09

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PAGe 12

crores spent; Police gets inferior supplies

reflections

By Sandemo Ngullie

imkong Walling Dimapur | December 20

Auto accident? How’s that possible, Christmas’ eve ain’t here yet!!!

The Morung Express Poll QuEsTion

Vote on www.morungexpress.com sMs your answer to 9862574165 This Christmas, should the Church be doing more to uplift the underprivileged and living in poverty? Why? Yes

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others

Is Nagaland government providing the space for protection of freedom of the press and freedom of speech and expression? Yes

10% 66%

no others

24%

Details on page 7

Daily magnesium intake can prevent pancreatic cancer

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NEw YoRK, DECEMBER 20 (IANS): Daily magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer, researchers from Indiana University (IU) have found. Previous studies have found that magnesium is inversely associated with the risk of diabetes, which is a risk factor of pancreatic cancer. “But few studies have explored the direct association of magnesium with pancreatic cancer. Of those that did, their findings were inconclusive,” said Daniel Dibaba, PhD student at the School of Public He a l t h - Bl o o m i ng t o n , who led the IU study. Dibaba and colleagues analysed an enormous trove of data on over 66,000 men and women, aged 50 to 76, looking at the direct association between magnesium and pancreatic cancer. Of those followed, 151 participants developed pancreatic cancer. The study found that every 100-milligram-per-day decrease in magnesium intake was associated with a 24 percent increase in the occurrence of pancreatic cancer. The study also found that the effects of magnesium on pancreatic cancer did not appear to be modified by age, gender or body mass index but was limited to those taking magnesium supplements either from a multivitamin or individual supplement. “For those at a higher risk of pancreatic cancer, adding a magnesium supplement to their diet may prove beneficial in preventing this disease,” Dibaba added. People should strive to get the daily recommendations of magnesium through diet, such as dark, leafy greens or nuts, to prevent any risk of pancreatic cancer. The study appeared in the British Journal of Cancer.

Chennaiyin win a humdinger to emerge ISL champs

DLCC Mon deliberates on govt schemes

A Kuwaiti man kisses his falcon during a training session in Al-salmi district. (AFP Photo)

NRHM employees to enforce ‘No Pay, No Work’ from Jan 2016 Morung Express news Dimapur | December 20

Success of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Nagaland chapter stands on the verge of being adversely affected as disgruntled employees announced on Sunday that it will go on a “No Pay, No Work” course of action starting from January 2016 onwards because of nonpayment of salaries. The NRHM employees said the State Government is yet to release pending salaries for the month of October and November. Earlier, they were assured that the three month pending salary would be released by December. “But, the State treasury has released salary only for September, and now we are being told that the remaining salaries of subsequent months would be released only by March 2016,” a doctor working under the NRHM told The Morung Express on Sunday. According to the doctor, who did not wished to be named, the State Government gave no reason why their salaries are withheld. There are more than 900 technical and non-technical staff under NRHM in Nagaland which includes a sizeable number of doctors and nurses. This is not the first time that Nagaland employees of NRHM have endured hardship due to non release of their salaries on time. This is also not the first that the employ-

ees have appealed the State Government for release of their pending salaries through the media. Earlier, in September last, NRHM employees were demanding for release their pending three month salaries. In August 2014, NRHM employees from over the State remained absent from work as they protested the non-payment of their salaries by the health department since April 2014. “Actually, our salaries have always been kept pending and released only at irregular intervals since inception of this programme here in the State,” the doctor rued. “This is a centrally sponsored flagship scheme, and the Centre had already released the fund meant for the salary of the employees. The government is withholding our salaries intentionally so as to see us suffer,” another NRHM staff alleged. While the NRHM employees cannot provide evidence, there have been reports about the funds meant for their salaries being diverted to other projects or kept in the bank to accumulate interest. Earlier, the NRHM funds were directly transferred to the account of Department of Health and Family Welfare. However, with alleged misuse of funds, the Centre has been transferring the funds to the State treasury, with optimism that there would be more accountability. The employees have also been

demanding that the government give proper explanation through media as why they have to suffer when the Centre has already released the funds. The government however has remained nonchalantly tightlipped. NRHM employees also said they cannot even form an association or a union to collectively fight for their rights. “We were cautioned that no association or union should be formed. If we do so, we are afraid of facing job termination,” the NRHM staff revealed. According to the doctor, non technical staffs are scared to voice out protest since they are aware that they can be replaced anytime. “Though they support us morally, they cannot afford to be vocal because they don’t want to be victimized,” the doctor pointed out. Already, the NRHM employees, particularly the nurses are losing morale, motivation to be sincere in their duties, the doctor observed. Except NRHM, employees of other medical programmes such as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) and Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) have received all their pending salaries, the doctor informed. “We fear that if this irresponsible attitude of the State Government continues, it is going to affect the programme,” the doctor voiced out.

The Nagaland Police department is said to account for 30 percent of the State’s non-plan expenditure. In monetary expression, it is estimated to take up around Rs. 1000 crores of the State’s annual non-plan allocation of Rs. 5000 crores. The spending, besides accounting for salary of the workforce, include supplies ranging from arms and ammunition to food to clothing, down to basic personal items for the personnel. But is the government getting its money’s worth on the crores spent for police supplies? According to records available, supply of clothing items and other basic items alone consume over Rs. 10 crores annually. The list of items in the ‘Clothing items and Equipment’ supplies category include basic personal needs such as boots, uniform, loadcarrying kit, caps, soap, etc. The items listed in the category numbers 89 in total, which the personnel are entitled to receive annually. While translating spending into end-user satisfaction is considered a primary goal, if not the ultimate, of any deal, the quality of items supplied to the personnel has remained far from satisfactory in stark contrast to the crores spent. Paying scant regard to enduser satisfaction is usually the overriding refrain when it comes to critique of the personnel on the quality of stan-

dard issue items supplied clothing and other basic items in particular. A policeman’s comment would sum up the quality of material the personnel are supplied. “There is discontent among the personnel on the quality of clothing and other personal utilities issued. The issued items are not fit for use or wearing.” Stating that substandard and cheap replicas is what they eventually get, the policeman added that a majority of the personnel have to shell out from their own pockets to buy the necessary uniform, boots and other utilities from the market. Asked what they do with the items supplied by the department, the policeman said that the yearly quota of combat boots and PT shoes are handed away mostly to relatives in the village for menial use. The supplied items are not entirely free of cost, however; as one IRB jawan said, 10 percent of the cost of an item is deducted from salary. Records indicate that a total of Rs. 74, 28, 79,898.2 crores was sanctioned in the past 6 years for acquiring the items listed in the ‘Clothing items and Equipment’ category. In 2013-14, the sanctioned amount was over Rs. 15 crores for this particular category, an increase from Rs. 11.5 crores in 2010-11. Blatant disregard for quality control, and corruption at various levels of the government were cited as the major causes of the crores expended in return for inferior supplies.

“Cuts and commissions” starting from the very top reduces the approved amount by a sizeable margin as it flows down to the contracted supplier, stated sources in the know of the business. The “cuts” often range between 10-15 percent of the approved amount. It affects the expected profit margin of the supplier, who opts for cheap replicas of the items listed for procurement. The items are eventually supplied with the department not bothering to keep a check on quality. Further, it was revealed that the government has yet to revise the price of the listed items for years now, while prices increase in the market. Citing an instance, it was revealed that price of ankle-length boots was approved at the rate of Rs. 593 per pair in 2013-14, while in the market, the price of any useworthy brand ranged between Rs. 1500-2500. Introducing standard guidelines for supplies in consonance with the need of the time and doing away with redundant items and maintaining stringent checks and balances would cut down costs while guaranteeing useable and durable equipment to the personnel, stated a number of policemen interviewed. With an all-women battalion already in active duty, the department must seriously consider the gender aspect of supplies as well. The standard issue clothing and equipments has to be genderfriendly, the policemen stated.

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Ukhrul campaigns against toy guns ahead of Christmas UKHRUL, DECEMBER 20 (MExN): Aimed at the growing toy gun market, Diocesan Social Service Society (DSSS) Ukhrul on Sunday called for concerted efforts to dissuade parents from buying toy guns for their children during Christmas season. Termed “Anti-War Toy Campaign,” the society argues that the use of such toys help breed a culture of violence among children. At a press conference held at Ukhrul District Working Journalists' Association (UDWJA) Office, TS Elvis, Peace

Activist of DSSS Ukhrul said the campaign was launched as a part of its peace education program to curb the menace of toy guns that promote violence and create negative impact on the child behaviour. "Ukhrul is one place where parents are indiscriminate in buying toy guns, pistols for their children, while they miserably fail to realize the danger that such toys pose to the psychological and behavioural disposition of their kids," he said. Taking serious cognizance of the dangerous trend, DSSS has been campaigning

at various levels of the community including the churches, schools, colleges, SHGs among others. Elvis claimed that through its intervention, the number of children buying or using toy guns in Ukhrul has been brought down by 30 percent from 50/60 percent since last year. "But of late, with the coming of Christmas this time, the toy gun market in the district has received a boost again," he lamented saying that creating adequate awareness among the public is vital in reversing the trend.

A Way Forward: A manifesto for dialogue Along Longkumer, senior journalist and founding editor of The Morung Express explores ‘the idea of a peace accord between India and the Nagas’ in his book titled ‘A Way Forward’ released on December 18 DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 20 (MExN): A book on the Indo-Naga peace process with focus on the proposed ‘Naga peace accord’ was launched on December 18 by three leading Naga personalities Rev Dr Tuisem Shishak, Niketu Iralu and Rev Dr Wati Aier. The book titled ‘A Way Forward—the idea of a peace accord between India and the Nagas’ has been written by senior journalist and founding Editor of The Morung Express, Along Longkumer. In a simple yet innovative way, the book launch was held without any kind of a formal programme with the three personalities dedicating the book in different places. Dr Lanusangla Tzudir of Heritage Publishing House handed copies of the book to the three.

Describing Rev Dr Tuisem Shishak, Niketu Iralu and Rev Dr Wati Aier as the ‘triumphant three’ of our times, the author, who is currently out of Nagaland, has in a press note, expressed admiration for their contribution towards the Nagas and for being true role-models, especially for the upcoming generation. “It is only fitting therefore that the three of them who continue to inspire us all should release this book of mine”, stated the author in the press release. The book, according to Along Longkumer, is an attempt to understand some of the important questions in the peace process between India and the Nagas. How to resolve these have been suggested with possible formulations including on the two core issues

(From left to Right) An edited picture of the three leading naga personalities, Rev Dr Wati Aier, niketu iralu and Rev Dr Tuisem shishak releasing the book ‘A Way Forward—The idea of a peace accord between india and the nagas’ written by senior journalist and former Editor Along longkumer.

of sovereignty and integration. The book explores the idea of a ‘quasi-sovereign’ status for the Nagas, relation with India to be in the nature of an ‘associate state’ on the lines of the United States and Puerto Rico. On the complex issue of integration, the author explores the idea of a ‘cross-border’ arrange-

ment to bring together the Naga inhabited areas. In this regard the author puts forth the idea to “create a compact zone of peace, development and economic cooperation across the entire Naga-inhabited areas”. The book also suggests that Article 244A of the Indian constitution has been ‘tailor made’ to address the complexity of Naga in-

tegration and this provision should be explored as a possible way forward pending the redrawing of State boundaries. Possibilities to bring the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) into some kind of a power-sharing arrangement have also been suggested. According to the book, “a reformed and unified NNC can be that meet-

ing point for all Nagas, including the warring groups to reconcile and come together in some form”. In return for accepting the NNC as the apex institution representing the Naga people, the executive powers or national government should be vested in the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland or GPRN, states the book. A thought provoking suggestion put forward by the author is to remodel the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) into some kind of role within the proposed Pan-Naga structure that is expected to take shape. Further, the ideas of Shared Sovereignty, Special Federal relationship, Pan-Naga body etc., have been discussed along with few suggestions or formulations. The basis for a solution between India and the Nagas is also explored in some detail with an attempt to come out with some outof-the-box ideas for a political solution. According to the author, “the sole intention of writing this book

is not to challenge existing proposals but only to add to the larger discourse both for the present and future consideration”. A summary of this book is presented under the title ‘The Way Forward: A Manifesto for Dialogue’. The author has explained that the core philosophy of the book is “simply to light up the thoughts of readers and point the way forward.” “The thinking behind the formulations presented in the book is to be moderate, to find a balance and chart out a middle-path”, states Along Longkumer while adding that his own belief is that “resolutions can come about if we can find more meeting-points”. Copies of the book will initially be on sale at Signet Book Shop, near Notun Bosti Junction, Dimapur and Starmart, Jail Colony Kohima. For Mao and Senapati areas of Manipur, interested readers may contact Hills Hornbill Express, PNBA Building, Senapati or contact mobile number 8014325689.

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MonDAY 21•12•2015

NAGALAND

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

DLCC Mon deliberates on govt schemes moN, December 20 (mexN): The Mon District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) had its DLCC/DLRC/DLSC meeting for the quarter ended September 2015-16 at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall on Wednesday, December 16, during which various government schemes were deliberated on. A press release from Rajuselie Lhousa, District Program Coordinator (Financial Inclusion) NSRLM, informed. W. Honje Konyak, Deputy Commissioner & Chairman, DLCC Mon District, in his address expressed seriousness on the services being rendered by banks particularly the government sponsored schemes like PMEGP loan and said proper verification is necessary for successful implementation. He stressed on the need for proper justification in cases of rejection and maintained that such cases should be submitted to him so as to avoid denial of opportunity to the people of the district. The DC also urged the Banks to give priority to all

DC Mon W. Honje Konyak (right) seen addressing the DLCC meeting at DC conference hall Mon on December 16. RS Mour Lead District Manager Mon (middle) and Rajesh E. Kamble, manager LDO RBI (left) are also seen.

the Prime Minister Social Security and Insurance Schemes and start creating awareness among the public. He assured full support and for which a committee has already been formed. Rajesh E. Kamble, Manager, LDO, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), while acknowledging that there are certain problems in areas like difficult terrain and poor connectivity for the banks for recovery drives resulting in the high level of NonPerforming Assets (NPA), shared the need for more joint recovery drive by the Bank branches.

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Governor extends Christmas greetings C M Y K

Rajuselie Lhousa, District Program Coordinator (Financial Inclusion) NSRLM, also participated in the proceedings and stressed on the need for confidence-building and trust between the banks and the public. He said that this is the only gate-way to improve Bank’s business as well as create growth to the community whereby existing problem like NPAs can be avoided. He opined that Financial Literacy Camps (FLC) are not enough to create awareness and that the Banks should take advantage to properly address

by way of providing necessary information when the public come to their table since bankers hardly get time to go out and meet the customers. R.S. Mour, LDM Mon district, expressed unhappiness over the poor performance of the Banks under Prime Minister Schemes and urged the Banks to take these Schemes very seriously. He said the Credit Deposit Ratio (CDR) was 50.41% for the quarter ended September, 2015. Regarding performance of Annual Credit Plan (ACP) under Kissan

DNSU’s traffic policing ends today Dimapur, December 20 (mexN): The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) which has been assisting Dimapur Traffic Police in enforcing traffic for a week will end its campaign on Monday, December 21. In this regard, DNSU in collaboration with the traffic police will be giving chocolates to all "sensible drivers" tomorrow as a goodwill gesture, a DNSU press release stated.

YUD 36th General Session C M Y K

Dimapur, December 20 (mexN): The Yimchungru Union Dimapur(YUD) has informed all Yimchungrus in and around Dimapur Town to attend the 36th General Session on December 29 at 9 a.m. at YUD union Treasurer’s residence. The union in a press release has requested each household to send at least one representative for the said meeting “in traditional touch”. For more information, one may contact 9862946900, 8729831462.

Credit Card (KCC) Scheme, some branch reported that new applications are being received and the process for fresh loans is underway. Under Self Help Group (SHG), LDM informed that the performance of Bank branches are very poor except NSCB Mon and asked other banks to make improvements. Under Prime Minister Mudra Yojana—Mudra loan, the Bank branches informed that they have started receiving applications and a A Church at Kuda village (Nagarjan) is lit up for Christmas ahead of the festival in Dimapur. few numbers of loans have (Photo: Caisii Mao) already been sanctioned. The action points which emerged from the DLCC meeting includes: Bank branches to properly verify of PMEGP loans including spot verification before sanctioning of loans and report to the Deputy Commissioner with proper justification in case of rejection; The Bank branches shall submit list of loan defaulters with all the details to the LDM; and Bank branches to submit progress report of awareness on Prime Minister’s Social Security and Insurance Schemes to the deputy commissioner by Minister for Roads & Bridges, Y. Vikheho Swu, and Minister for Environment, Forests and February, 2016.

29th TKK Conference concludes

Kohima, December 20 (mexN): Nagaland Governor PB Acharya has extended “warmest greetings” to all on the auspicious occasion of Christmas. “The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and generosity and of goodness,” the governor’s message stated. “On this day, we all pray to God for the well-being of all, for Peace and Prosperity, for Development and for happiness of everyone,” he added. Also stating that Christmas brings out the best in us in the form of forgiveness and a sense of brotherhood, the governor challenged, “Let us pledge and work ourselves for Unity & Peace of Nagaland and pray to God to give us wisdom and strength to achieve this.” Acharya further extended his best wishes for the New Year 2016.

Khehovi Yeputho addressing the students.

Dimapur, December 20 (mexN): The 29th annual session of Thilixu Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (Thilixu Students’ Union) which got underway on December 18 concluded here today with hundreds of students who participated in the conference pledging to “stride towards the best of the society,” a press release received here informed. Khehovi Yeputho, Block Development Officer, Aghunaqa Area graced the oc-

casion as chief guest while Dr. Akatoli Chishi, Lecturer TTC was the speaker. Challenging the students to look into the future, the chief guest pointed out that change and transformation to progress in life is an inherent nature of life but those who look only in the past and present and do not look towards the future to bring about good changes in life is certain to miss the future. Surely, success is for those who

Climate Change, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, with contractors during the merger of Nagaland Contractors & Suppliers Union (NCSU) and Nagaland Govt. Registered Class- 1 Contractors’ Union (NGRC-1CU) into one body under the nomenclature of “Registered Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers Union (RNCSU) at Hotel Japfü, Kohima on December 19. (Morung Photo)

look into the times ahead and equip themselves with education, he stated. Stressing on the philosophy of life, Khehovi said one should be ever willing to learn at all times, as learning is a never ending process. He also encouraged the gathering to live life to the fullest as good human beings, always willing to reach out to those in need. He reminded the students that it is the responsibility of all to contribute towards progress and transformation of the society. He said all of us have obligation to society as Revellers pass by a large inflated doll placed outside one of the stalls at the Dimapur Night “service to the society is the Carnival. (Photo: Benjamin Lorin Sugathan) rent we pay for the space we occupy on earth”. Speaker, Dr. Akatoli Chishi spoke on the theme of the session “precede the change for the best”. Toshiho Kiba, Wing Commander, Indian Air Force, also exhorted the students. Various literary and cultural competitions were held throughout the sessions.

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Condolence

In a first of its kind, a "Hair Trimming Festival" organized by Tizü Club was held on December 19 at Meluri Local ground. The Club organized the event as a social service to the community.

Kohima, December 20 (mexN): Home Minister Y Patton has expressed shock at the sudden demise of Chumlanthung Ezung, Project Officer under DRDA, Wokha, on December 19 morning in Kohima. “Chumlanthung was a sincere officer and was a very generous person. He was a man with giving heart who always had a zeal to help the needy people,” stated Patton in a condolence message. “With his untimely demise, the Nagas particularly the Lotha community has lost an upcoming officer and has created a huge vacuum which is difficult to fill.” The Home Minister further conveyed condolences to the wife of the deceased, Dr. Tumchobeni, and the bereaved family.

Two young girls have their photo taken near a "Christmas Tree" made of recycled bottles at the Dimapur Night Carnival. (Photo: Benjamin Lorin Sugathan)

St. Paul’s Church Phor turns Silver

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Don’t Drink & DrIvE DIMAPUR TRAFFIC POLICE in collaboration with THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Kohima, December 20 (mexN): St. Paul’s Church, Phor, celebrated its silver jubilee on December 19 under the theme “To follow the footprint of Jesus” with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the main celebrant. The celebrations culminated with Holy Eucharist, a press release from Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima, informed. John Tsilise ADC, Meluri, unveiled the Jubilee Monolith and congratulated the St. Paul Church, Phor, community. “As Christians, we are all believers, and it is our belief which gives our dignity as Christians. This faith should be nurtured and lived in action,” he stated. Bishop Thoppil in his homily elucidated three aspects of jubilee celebration, viz. – to remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion and to look to the

John Tsilise ADC, Meluri, unveiling the Silver Jubilee Monolith of St. Paul’s Church, Phor on December 19.

future with hope. Every jubilee, he said, is an apt occasion to remember, recall and be grateful to all the people who led us to the present state. “The past gives us the foundation to live the present, the present must be lived with passion – greater

commitment and fidelity. As Christians the faith of our fathers must make us better Christians, translating the faith in action, living our life according to the Christian principles and values. Such a life will distinguish us from the rest,” the Bishop stated.

Others who spoke on the occasion included T. Azuzu Thurr, Ex L/C, and Chichutho Jose, PCU. Later, Rev. Fr. Mathew Keemattam, Parish Priest, Chiephobozou released the jubilee souvenir. The celebration ended with a community meal.

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MonDAY 21•12•2015

NORTH-EAST

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Guv rajkhowa asked to release AR jawan among rhino poachers held in WB full footage of December 15 spat ItANAgAr, December 20 (PtI): Days after Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa accused him of misbehaving, education minister Tapang Taloh today alleged that the Governor had provoked him with abuses and asked him to release footage of the entire December 15 episode. "It is very unfortunate that the constitutional head of the state had released the last portion of the footage to the electronic media to malign my hard earned image. I request him to release the whole footage so that people can judge," Taloh told reporters at the Arunachal Press Club here. The footage circulated

to the media highlighted how Taloh had a spat with the Governor during an argument when Chief Minister Nabam Tuki along with his council of ministers went to meet him at the Raj Bhawan with a request to review his decision of preponing the Assembly session to December 16, instead of January 14, 2016. "When we entered the Raj Bhawan, we were checked at the entrance like common people. Despite our repeated pleas, the Governor, instead of listening to our appeals, asked us to approach any court of the law saying he had already passed his order," the minister flanked by Home Minister Tanga

Byaling and Parliamentary secretary Nyamar Karbak said. Alleging that the Governor had provoked him with abuses, Taloh said Rajkhowa did not even reply to the questions put by the Chief Minister on the reasons that compelled him to prepone the Assembly session. "He may be the constitutional head, but he cannot behave in such a manner with the Chief Minister and the council of ministers. I did not use any unparliamentary word against him as alleged, but expressed my sentiments in reply to his abuses," Taloh clarified. "In my long political ca-

reer, I have never seen such an arrogant Governor who is acting at the behest of the Centre and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju to destabilise a democratically elected government," Taloh alleged. Taloh referred to a voice clip of Leader of Opposition Tamiyo Taga, who, during a public meeting in May last had allegedly announced that a new Governor would come as the old one would be replaced for not listening to BJP leaders. The Minister said the clip had exposed the hidden agenda of the Governor who has been appointed by the Centre to install a BJP government in the state.

"When the Chief Minister recommended dropping of five ministers from the Cabinet, the Governor intentionally delayed the matter for over a week. From the very first day in office he started interfering in government affairs by summoning officials of various departments even on petty issues," Taloh alleged. "We are not fighting just to save the government, but against the unconstitutional activities of the Governor. We are determined to fight," the minister said. Alleging that the Governor was behind the political turmoil in the state, Taloh added he had turned the Raj Bhawan to a BJP party office.

KolKAtA, December 20 (Ht): An Assam Rifles jawan, who took 15-days leave from duty, was among a gang of four poachers nabbed in Jalpaiguri by the forest department on Saturday. Bayona Ubin, 38, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh, was heading for Jaldapara forest when he was caught with three other accomplices at Birpara about 55 km away from their destination. “Four have been arrested by our people. One of the gang members is a serving personnel of Assam Rifles,” forest minister Binay Krishna Barman told HT. The other members of the gang were Naba Thamang, 32, resident of Dimapur, Dumai Singh, 37, resident of Arunachal Pradesh and Bishnu

AIUDF favours Bihar-like alliance in Assam Saffron party eyes pact with guwAHAtI, December All parties should take inspira- was made clear to the AIUDF non-Cong, non-AIUDF groups 20 (tNN): All India United tion from the Bihar election. The chief that without Congress any Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief and MP, Badruddin Ajmal on Sunday publicly said that he and his party is in favour of having Bihar-like Maha Gathbandhan (grand alliance) in Assam to checkmate BJP. Ajmal on the sidelines of AIUDF meeting here, said that non-BJP parties in the state should work seriously in giving shape to the grand alliance. Though AIUDF has not started talk with any of the non-BJP parties including Congress yet, Ajmal said that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his election strategist Prashant Kishor were taking the lead in forming a Bihar-like grand alliance in Assam. "We have to have a grand alliance if we have to stop BJP.

parties should mutually come to an agreement on settling seat sharing and other issues," Ajmal said. The AIUDF chief's open espousal for grand alliance in Assam is significant for the fact that hitherto the issue was not discussed in public. Also Ajmal favouring grand alliance of non-BJP parties has indicated AIUDF's softening stand against the Congress. Until recently AIUDF was for alliance with non-BJP and non-Congress parties. But after Ajmal's meeting with Kumar in New Delhi recently, AIUDF has climbed down from its antiCongress stand. It was learnt that during Ajmal's meeting with Kumar, it

grand alliance in Assam would not be possible to take on the BJP. In Bihar's Maha Gathbandhan, Congress was integral to the grand alliance, and this perhaps is the lesson AIUDF chief took after meeting Kumar recently. A close aide of the AIUDF chief told TOI recently that Congress has to be part of grand understanding among secular parties if BJP has to be kept at bay in the upcoming assembly election. Also last week, Muslim intellectuals and non-political organisations had appealed nonBJP political parties to emulate Bihar-like Maha Gathbandhan in Assam to ensure secular votes are not divided.

guwAHAtI, December 20 (tNN): With speculation rife about a Bihar-like alliance between Congress and AIUDF in the state, BJP, too, is exploring the possibility of tying up with like-minded organizations ahead of next year's assembly election. The saffron party has constituted a committee comprising MPs Romen Deka, Rajen Gohain, Bijoya Chakraborty, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and former Congress strongman Himanta Biswa Sarma to thrash out an understanding with non-Congress and non-AIUDF organizations. The committee members have been entrusted with the task of holding dialogue with organisations representing various ethnic groups and political parties that have no links with Congress and AIUDF and submitting its findings. "After the report,

we will take our next decision," BJP president Sarbananda Sonowal said here on Saturday. With barely five months left for the assembly election, rumours about alliances and understandings are flying thick and fast. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has spoken of the need for an understanding with non-BJP parties to check the saffron party's growth. Similarly, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal recently met Bihar chief minister and Mahagathbandhan architect Nitish Kumar in New Delhi, as did former chief minister and founder of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. Insiders in BJP said it has become imperative for the saffron party to have some kind of understanding with smaller parties to counter Congress and AIUDF.

What has BJP done for Assam in 18 months, Ravi Shankar optimistic of CM Tarun Gogoi asks Sarbananda Sonowal brokering peace with ULFA guwAHAtI, December 20 (Ie): Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, on Sunday asked state BJP president and Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare, Sarbananda Sonowal, to come out with a white paper as to what the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had done for Assam during its one and a half years of tenure. “The BJP must also come out with a factsheet as to what the previous and the present BJP-led NDA Governments have done for Assam, so that the people can judge things in proper perspectives,” said Gogoi in a statement. That would be best way for the BJP to prove its commitment to Assam instead of unleashing a misinformation campaign against the Congress government here, he added. Gogoi said his government would soon publish a document about the development initiatives taken for Assam by the UPA government of Manmohan Singh during its 10-year tenure. “The people will then find it easy to judge,” he said. The Assam Chief Minister also asked Sonowal

Tarun Gogoi. (PTI File Photo)

to come out with details of funds the BJP-led NDA government had given to Assam on floods and erosion, MGNREGA, IAY and other development schemes. “Not to speak of special Central assistance, the state is yet to receive a single penny under National Disaster Response Fund except Rs 430.97 crore as Central share of SDRF in 2014-15, which is anyway due to every state,” he said. Gogoi also accused Sonowal of failing to exert pressure on the Centre to release the due funds to his home state. The Centre was yet to release Rs 1000 crore for flood management programme, he added. Gogoi also accused Sonowal of not exerting

pressure on the Centre after the latter deprived Assam and the North-eastern states of their Special Category Status, as also when NEIIPP and Backward Region Grant Fund were withdrawn or suspended, and also for restoration of the 90:10 funding pattern. He also criticized Sonowal for remaining silent on sharp decline of funds flow from NLCPR and NEC to the state. “Though Sonowal is very vocal in criticising the state government on different issues, he always maintains a stoic silence when it comes to raising the issues at the highest level. He took a mute stand in this regard during a meeting of union home minister Rajnath

'India, Nepal must restore relations through dialogue' AgArtAlA, December 20 (tNN): The deteriorating relations between India and Nepal, as well as the ongoing Madhesi agitation that has led to a collapse of economic activities in the Himalayan nation and created a crisis of essential items like food grains, fuel and medicine, can be resolved through dialogue, said cultural, tourism and civil aviation minister of Nepal Ananda Prasad Pokharel. Speaking on the sidelines of the three-day international seminar on the northeast and Buddhist heritage here, Pokharel said, "All economic activities, includ-

ing industries, are closed as India supplies the raw material. We are in a tough situation. I hope the government of India, especially Prime Minister Modi, will understand our problem." "I have come here to make our relationship harmonious. I am here to show my keen interest in solving the current problem along the border of Nepal," he added.Though the current crisis in the Himalayan nation is an internal problem, a section of people are involving India to gain political mileage, he added. "Do not use the name of India as the government of India does not want

to intervene in the situation. Madhesi-based parties use the name of India. This is our internal affairs, we can solve our problem," Pokharel asserted. The Madhesi political parties and indigenous groups of the Nepal terai have been agitating against the country's new constitution which they deem discriminatory. They are demanding, among others, a redrawing of the boundaries of the provinces in Nepal as proposed in the new Constitution and restoration of rights granted to Madhesis in the interim constitution of 2007 which the new charter has taken away.

Singh with the chief ministers of the North-eastern states in July this year. He is more keen on appeasing the central leaders to keep his gaddi intact rather than serving the interests of the state and its people,” Gogoi said. “Being a central minister from the state, Sonowal is aware of the huge losses Assam has incurred due to discriminatory and lopsided attitude of the present dispensation at the Centre, but he is feigning ignorance,” Gogoi alleged. Gogoi in his statement also dared Sonowal to repudiate the facts and figures submitted by him on various issues enlisted in a memorandum to the Prime Minister on December 16. “The state government has put down everything in black and white vis-avis issues concerning the state and its people in a recent memorandum to the Prime Minister. I will send a copy of it to Sonowal and the state’s BJP MPs. Let Sonowal repudiate the facts and figures submitted by the state government. Our government has nothing to hide and has laid everything on paper,” he said.

Chhetri, 50, resident of Assam. The gang was allegedly involved in several cases of poaching, claimed forest officers. Their last victim was a rhino about eight months ago in Gorumara. The officers claimed the group is suspected to have killed big animals in Assam too. “The kingpin of the gang is based in Assam. This gang sold rhino horn at Rs 3 lakh per kilo. However, when it reaches international market, the price may even touch Rs 1 crore per kilo,” said an officer. According to the forest officers, Ubin was the key man of the group. He is also the main shooter. The team of four was heading for Jaldapara, which is famous for rhinoceros. Acting on a tip off, the forest officials headed by Dutta,

intercepted their vehicle at Birpara. An automatic rifle (carrying the inscription GRC-II, 1980 SHTLE-III) with seven rounds of ammunition was seized from the gang. A piece of ivory weighing two kilos was also seized from them. An axe designed to remove horns from rhinos was also found on them. The gang was also carrying a tent for their hunting expedition in the forest. “Ubin admitted killing animals in the area earlier. We came to know about Ubin after grilling a poacher who had killed a rhino in Gorumara forest about eight months ago,” Dutta told HT. Over the past few months there has been a sudden spurt in poaching incidents and illegal wildlife trade in north Bengal.

North east Briefs AJYCP to block railway tracks on December 22 guwAHAtI, December 20 (tNN): The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) will staged demonstrations on railway tracks across Assam on December 22 in protest against the Centre's decision to regularize the entry of non-Muslims, who have fled from Bangladesh fearing religious persecution.It said it would intensify its movement against the Modi-government's reluctance to address the regional issues concerning the indigenous people of Assam.

Bandh supporters block traffic on Imphal-Silchar road ImPHAl, December 20 (PtI): Vehicular traffic came to a halt on the Imphal-Silchar road on the National Highway 37, connecting Manipur with Assam, on the first day of the 32-hour bandh at Jiribam in Manipur today. The supporters blocked the highway at Jiribam bridge making vehicles impossible to move on the stretch, police said. No shops and business establishments were opened at Jiribam Bazaar. All educational institutions remained closed, they said. The bandh was called by the Jiribam District Demand Committee (JDDC) to press their demand for a fullfledged Jiribam district.

Tripura woman battered for having 'love affair'

KolKAtA, December 20 (IANS): Rejecting Paresh Baruah's assertions of Assam's sovereignty as the core issue of future talks, spiritual guru Ravi Shankar on Sunday expressed optimism of bringing the ULFA-I chief to the dialogue table with the Centre. "He has asserted Assam's sovereignty would be the core issue but there is no question of that happening. Probably he is under some foreign country's influence," Ravi Shankar said on the sidelines of an event here. The Art of Living founder, who has been attempting to broker peace with the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent chief, said he had a talk with the elusive leader earlier this week. "I had a talk with him (Baruah) on Wednesday. I am trying to persuade him for talks. I am very optimistic of a positive outcome," he added.

AgArtAlA, December 20 (IANS): A 60-yearold tribal woman in Tripura was beaten mercilessly and left unconscious by some people who accused her of having an illicit love affair, the police said on Sunday. The woman was rescued on Saturday morning and taken by her neighbours to a hospital where her condition was stated to be critical. The incident took place in Ujan Chandrapur village under Puratan Raj Bari police station of South Tripura district late Friday evening. "When the victim was returning home from NREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) work, she was first tied with a tree and then beaten ruthlessly by some locals, mostly women. Later her head was shaved," said S.K. Paul, sub-divisional police officer of Belonia in South Tripura. Some of the local people accused the victim of having an illicit love affair with a man of her Bhil community. The woman's family members denied the accusation. Six people, including four women, have been arrested in connection with the incident.

PolAris ExPEriENcE ZoNE Nagaland’s 1st All-Terrain-Vehicle (ATV) Track New Winter Timings!

Looking for something fun and exciting to do this festive season? Come and experience the power performance of Polaris off-road vehicles in the pay-and ride ATV tracks at Polaris Experience Zone, Dimapur. Perfect for those seeking a rush of adrenalin and outdoors fun. Kid’s ATV is also available but must be accompanied by an adult. Join us where the road ends and the off-road adventure begins. Located at Bamunpukhuri, 4 kms from Zion Hospital – look out for “Polaris Experience Zone” way signs on the road leading to track. For Dec and Jan, we are open Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 till 5:00 pm. Closed on following dates: 24th to 27th Dec and 31st Dec to 3rd Jan 2016. Ph: 897-419-2695, e-mail: polaris.northeast@gmail.com

MonDAY 21 •12•2015

Business

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Bankruptcy Bill to be tabled in parliament today New Delhi, December 20 (iANS): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will on Monday table in parliament the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Bill, the biggest reform proposal after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill, the government said. “Fin Minister will introduce Insolvency and Bankruptcy Bill in Parliament tomorrow. Next GST, it’s the biggest reform (sic),” tweeted Shaktikanta Das, secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, on Sunday. The government intends to bring important legislative measures on structural reforms during the remaining three days left of parliament’s winter session, notwithstanding the setback on the GST Bill, Jaitley had said on Saturday. The proposed Bankruptcy Code aims to reduce delays in resolution of insolvency cases and improve recoveries of amount lent to companies. The draft bill has proposed a timeline of 180 days, extendable by another 90 days, to resolve cases of bankruptcy. The new Bankruptcy Code will help India in the World Bank’s ease of doing business ranking, as per a key criterion set by the multilateral lender.

Illegal remittances racket minted Rs 100 cr New Delhi, December 20 (PTi): The masterminds of illegal remittances racket operating through Bank of Baroda were allegedly charging Rs 1.35 for every dollar sent abroad from people who wanted to use their services. The CBI investigation into over Rs 6,000 crore transfer (about USD 100 crore) to Hong Kong and Dubai through BoB Ashok Vihar Branch has indicated that the master operators were charging this premium by offering their channel to send the money outwards, the agency’s chargesheet alleged. The CBI has filed its chargesheet which reveal that nearly USD 100 crore were transferred from India to Hong Kong and Dubai using proper banking channel by evading the scrutiny of banking software which red flags every transaction above USD one lakh. Sources said the agency has mentioned in its chargesheet that masterminds of the racket were allegedly distributing the fee of Rs 1.35 per USD among themselves with even the lowest rung of the gang (which were alleged account holders) made Rs 2540 lakh in one year period from July 2014July 2015. “The lower rung of the gang was given 20-25 paisa per USD transferred and during the one-year period they have made about Rs 25-40 lakh by transferring funds through banking channels,” an official said. The sources said similarly the parties in Hong Kong and Dubai to whom the money was allegedly being transferred made over Rs 35-60 lakh in commission from the welloiled machinery which was being run. CBI had registered a case against 59 current account holders and unknown bank officials and private persons on a complaint from Bank of Baroda.

Govts ultimatum to road developers: Perform or perish New Delhi, December 20 (PTi): Running out of patience for their “lack of commitment and lackadaisical approach”, the government has warned non-serious developers and bankers of terminating highway projects worth Rs 20,000 crore. “The concessionaires and bankers are not realising that we are reaching a stage of impatience, and people who are users of these roads are not going to be waiting anymore,” Road Transport and Highways Secretary Vijay Chhibber told PTI in an interview. “If developers and bankers fail to mend their ways and initiate correctives to roll out projects by January-end, the government will start terminat-

ing contracts in PPP mode and repackage them.” Out of the total 77 stalled projects, issues have been sorted out for all barring 19, which are still stuck. “I had a meeting with bankers and concessionaires. I am getting a sense they had not looked at the full package... We are no longer working on any further correction,” Chhibber warned. “Enough is enough,” the senior official said, mincing no words, adding that a 30-day deadline has been set for developers and bankers of 19 projects to “perform or get terminated”. The secretarys remarks assume significance as the highway sector has been saddled with stuck proj-

ects worth about Rs 3.8 lakh crore. The government, it seems, doesnt want to leave any stone unturned in initiating policy measures and extending support wherever required. At one point, Chhibber had even remarked that aggressive lending by banks, which were “happily over-financing even non-serious highways players without assessing risks, has virtually killed the sector”. The builders in the line of fire include big players like Larsen & Toubro, HCC, Gammon, Madhucon, Soma and Essel Ifra, among others, while the list of lenders includes top names like State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of India.

The government has recently “offered a full package”, which among other steps extends the concession period of projects where delays are not attributable to developers. Stating that the government has other policy options at its disposal to deal with the problem, Chhibber said: “If it doesnt work in a set-up for them, we are quite happy to cancel the projects and roll them out in EPC or some other means. Currently, we do not find any stress on our liquidity.” The projects relate to key national highways in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

BSNL slashes mobile call rates by 80% for new customers New Delhi , December 20 (PTi): To speed up customer acquisition, state-owned telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has slashed mobile rates by up to 80% for the first two months under a scheme for new customers. “BSNL has revamped its infrastructure now. We have decided to cut mobile call rates by up to 80% for new customer so that they get experience of our revamped services,” BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava told PTI. The call rates have been reduced both per minute and per second billing plan, and will be valid only for the first two months of a customer joining BSNL. New customer buying BSNL connection will have to buy plan voucher of Rs 36 for per second plan and Rs 37 for per minute plan, including Mobile Number Portability (MNP) customers. Customers opting for Rs 37 scheme will be charged 10 paisa per minute for making local as

well as STD calls within BSNL and 30 paisa per minute on other network. Similarly, after recharging phone for Rs 36, customer will be charged 1 paisa for every three second duration on local and STD calls made within BSNL network and 2 paisa for three second on other network. The state-run telecom company has roped in Aegis BPO for its customer service which also serves leading private telecom operators. BSNL has also started monitoring complaints on the social media to provide resolution to aggrieved customers. The company has also got MNP positive with 1,57,564 people joining network customers and 1,24,158 leaving its network between July to November period. At the end of September, BSNL mobile customer base stood at 79.6 million and the company figured among top five players in terms of new subscriber addition during the month.

Tata Motors only Indian firm “Ensure tear is wiped off from every eye,” FM tells Banks on top-50 global R&D list India is overall placed at 15th position in terms of the number of companies on the list New Delhi, December 20 (PTi): Tata Motors has entered the top-50 league of the world’s biggest companies in terms of their R&D investments, topped by German automaker Volskwagen. On the annual Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard for 2015, prepared by European Commission, Volkswagen is followed by Samsung, Microsoft, Intel and Novartis in the top-five. Tata Motors has moved up from 104th position last year to 49th now and has also shown the largest increase in R&D (Research and Development) investments on the list. However, most of this R&D is at its UK subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover. In the expanded list of the world’s 2,500 top R&D firms, there are a total of 26 Indian companies, as against 829 from

the US, 360 from Japan, 301 from China, 114 from Taiwan, 80 from Switzerland and 27 each from Canada and Israel. There are 608 companies from the EU countries, including 136 from Germany, 135 from the UK, 86 from France, 42 from Sweden and 32 from Italy. India is overall placed at 15th position in terms of the number of companies on the list. Among other Indian companies, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is ranked 404th, M&M is at 451st, Reliance Industries at 540th, Lupin at 624th, Sun Pharma at 669th, Cipla at 831st and Infosys at 884th. Other Indian firms on the list include ONGC, Tata Steel, Wockhardt, Cadila Healthcare, Bajaj Auto, Hindalco, BHEL, Piramal Enterprises, Wipro, Helios and Matheson, HCC, Ashok Leyland, Apollo Tyres, TCS, Suzlon Energy, TVS Motor, Force India, HCL Tech and Glenmark. While the top-five companies globally have retained their respective positions, Google has moved up to sixth place (from 9th), while Pfizer has moved to 10th (from 15th). Roche, Johnson and Johnson and Toyota are ranked 7th, 8th and 9th, respectively.

LEISURE

Simple Rules - There is just one simple rule: “Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”

SUDOKU Game Number # 3441

cheNNAi, December 20 (PTi): Describing the recent rains that lashed Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu as “unprecedented”, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the immediate challenge is to provide assistance to the affected and asked banks to ensure that tear is wiped off from every eye. Distributing loans and financial assistance to the affected here, Jaitley said his visit has come to the city when it was facing “challenging times.” “The city and districts have faced greatest challenges of nature. The fury of nature we have seen in the last few weeks is almost unprecedented. “The immense amount of damage done by this fury also is beyond human capacity to defy them (challenges),” he said, adding, “the immediate challenge is to provide relief, saving human lives and to provide basics for livelihood.” Pointing out that it was a “fundamental principle” to provide relief and rehabilitation measures in dealing with natural disaster, he said, “you cannot prevent the disaster, but subsequently you plan that there is a much better quality of life.” “In terms of infrastructure and what has caused havoc (in the recent floods), governments will have to take steps in such a way that systems are strengthened in order to

put back the society (and help it) stand on its own feet,” he said. “In the long term, people have to be able to stand on their own. It is here where the Financial Institutions play a role that India must become a insured society,” he said. “We are today one of lesser insured society. The (recent) tragedy is a lesson for future that India has to be an insured society,” he said. With regard to those insured people and affected by the floods, he asked the banks and insurance companies that all claims must be expeditiously “disposed off”. “Banks will make sure that assistance is provided, that tear is wiped off from every eye and society starts

DAILY CROSS WORD

CROSSWORD # 3453

Answer Number # 3440

running back to normalcy than limping back,” he said. Insurance companies have set up 176 centres in four flood affected districts and all claims have to be settled “expeditiously”, he said. Noting that banks have large network in these districts, he said, “banks will also be making available soft loans so that people return to normal life in this hour of crisis.” State Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, Finance Secretary K Gnanadesikan along with top officials from public sector Indian Bank Managing Director and CEO, Mahesh Kumar Jain and Indian Overseas Bank, MD and CEO, R Kotteeswaran were present.

Birthday Greeting Dearest Sir,

Your step towards 25523 days Faced 3639 weeks And lived for 840 months You have completed the above days, weeks and months and reached 70 years. All that has been blessed to you by the mighty god. May the good Lord continuously bless and protect you till the last day of H 0is plan for u. “Happy Born Day” Your Secy DIMAPUR Civil Hospital:

STD CODE: 03862 232224; Emergency229529, 229474

Metro Hospital: Faith Hospital:

227930, 231081 228846

Shamrock Hospital

228254

Zion Hospital:

231864, 224117, 227337

Police Control Room

228400

Police Traffic Control

232106

East Police Station West Police Station

227607 232181

CIHSR (Referral Hospital)

242555/ 242533

Dimapur hospital

224041, 248011

Apollo Hospital Info Centre:

230695/ 9402435652

Railway:

131/228404

Indian Airlines

229366

Nagaland Multispe- 248302, cialty Health & 09856006026 Research Centre

HIV MeDICAtIONS APTIVUS

COMPLERA

CRIXIVAN

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ATRIPLA

ISENTRESS

K A H C F P H P Y K S S E N E G A I Z A

T W C R C N R Q G V A G I E J N T I B Z

K U O O K L G D Y P A S A D Z B R A I S

O R M O R J V V D R B D U U Q K I E N O

G V B G E E X U Y N Y S A R E L P M O C

V W I M T D A E R I V S X A C G L T R I

G T V F R H Z A T A Y E R N N I A R V G

J R I F O G T J N W F R P T E D J I I K

L I R V V R B X E N A T E H L J K V R R

E Z E P I K F U Z E O N N A E K O A L X

A I S T R I B I L D J E U I T R N N H Q

A V C Z P F D F E L A S M D N L J O Q A

V I R A C E P T S P P I A I I E N Q O Y

I R I N V I R A S E I B R Y L Z W K Q E

T N P G N A E Z N O G V I D E X E C B Q

S D T I R E Z L E O N A V I X I R C Z I

Police Control Room: North Police Station: South Police Station: Fire Brigade: Naga Hospital: Oking Hospital: Bethel Nursing Home: Northeast Shuttles

U Z O E P Z I C O M O I E P I V I R U S

S I R D P R S U V I T P A J V P J N A X

A D A V U R T U V F L V Z J A N R G P J

K A L E T R A O X F U P D I Q Z F A H T

STD CODE: 0370 100/2244279 2222222 2222111 2222952 2222916 2243339 2224202 08974997923

1. Voting districts 6. Analogous 10. Anagram of “Tine” 14. Of a pelvic bone 15. Alley 16. Midmonth date 17. A type of biologist 19. Encircle 20. Greek god of darkness 21. Female sib 22. A flexible pipe 23. Hemorrhage 25. Express audibly 26. Feathery scarves 30. Putting surfaces 32. Lively tempo 35. Untanned hide 39. Mountain range 40. Charred 41. Terminal stage care 43. Bedclothes 44. Inuit 46. Being 47. Tilt 50. Elder 53. Canvas dwelling 54. A gesture of assent 55. A musical composition 60. A sharply directional antenna

61. Powered by electricity 63. Not odd 64. Thorny flower 65. Cadge 66. Arid 67. Savvy about 68. Serpentine

DOWN

1. . Fermented grape juice 2. Winglike 3. Liturgy 4. Apply 5. Scour 6. Total 7. Emperor 8. Business executive 9. Catches 10. African holly 11. Fool 12. Brusque 13. Fruity-smelling compound 18. American Sign Language 24. Conceit 25. Not married 26. Hit hard 27. Hodgepodge 28. Beers 29. Snakelike 31. Leisure

33. Grain to be ground 34. Torture device 36. Colored part of an eye 37. Lairs 38. Border 42. An apparition 43. Lad 45. Humble 47. Infections of the eye 48. Depart 49. Ire 51. Eastern Standard Time 52. Standards 54. Roman emperor 56. Midday 57. Dwarf buffalo 58. Clock sound 59. Sore 62. Chief Executive Officer Ans to CrossWord 3452

DIMAPUR: 03862-232201/ 101 (O) 9856156876 (OC) CHUMUKEDIMA: 7085982102 (O) 8732810051 (OC)

MOKOKCHUNG: 0369-2226225/ 101 (O) 8415830232 (OC) PHEK: 8414853765 (O) 8413822476(OC) ZUNHEBOTO: 03867-280304/ 101 (O) 9436422730 (OC) TUENSANG: 8414853766 (O) 9856163601 (OC)

KIPHIRE: 8414853767 (O) 9436261577 (OC) PEREN: 7085189932 (O) 9856311205 (OC) LONGLENG: 7085924113 (O) 9862414264 (OC)

Toll free No. 1098 childline

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MOKOKCHUNG:

KOHIMA NORTH: 7085924114 (O)

MON: 03869-251222/ 101 (O) 9862130954 (OC)

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE

ACROSS

KOHIMA SOUTH: 0370-2222952/ 101 (O) 9402003086 (OC)

WOKHA: 03860242215/101 (O) 8974322879 (OC)

Chumukedima Fire 282777 Brigade Nikos Hospital and 232032, 231031 Research Centre

KOHIMA

FIRE STATIONS

STD CODE: 0369

Police Station 1:

2226241

Police Station 2 :

2226214

Civil Hospital: Woodland Nursing Home:

2226216 2226263

Hotel Metsüpen (Tourist Lodge):

2226373/2229343

TAHAMZAM (formerly Senapati) STD CODE: 03871 Police Station: Fire Brigade

CURRENCY NOTES

222246 222491

BUY(Rs)

SELL(Rs)

US Dollars Sterling Pound Hong Kong Dollar Australian Dollar Singapore Dollar Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen

65.49 99.14 8.18 47.50 46.35 47.70 53.80

68.44 103.95 9.11 49.85 48.61 50.02 56.82

Euro

71.97

75.44

Thai Baht Korean Won New Zealand Dollar Chinese Yuan

1.76

1.96

0.0536

0.0597

44.38

46.56

9.68

10.78

MondAY 21•12•2015

CNTC seeks clarification Chumukedima Night Bazar ends on high note on RMSA teachers’ result Morung express news Dimapur | December 20

Dimapur, December 20 (mexN): Office of the Central Nagaland Tribal Council (CNTC) has sought clarification from the authorities concerned regarding the RMSA teachers’ recruitment result declared recently, while alleging irregularities in the recruitment process. In a press release, CNTC President, Hakiye Yeptho and General Secretary, Imtinochet stated that as per the notification advertised on January 27, 2014, the qualification for the second languages, i.e., Ao, Lotha, Sumi, was graduate in any discipline with respective languages studied up to Class 12 and for

Tenyedie, it was graduate with Tenyedie as a subject. The available posts for respective languages teachers were Ao- 20, Lotha- 10, Sumi- 09 and Tenyedie- 21. However, the result showed the following number of candidates selected: Ao- 05 out of 20 posts with 26 candidates, Sumi- 08 out of 09 posts with 27 candidates, Lotha04 out of 10 posts with 14 candidates, and Tenyedie30 out of 21 posts with 57 candidates, the release pointed out. The Nagaland Education Mission Society RMSA vide its notification on December 17, 2015 clarified that the state mission au-

thority did not get sufficient numbers of candidates having 45% or above marks in graduation for the Ao, Sumi, and Lotha teachers. In this regard, CNTC questioned how different qualification criteria was imposed only at the time of declaration of the result subduing the earlier notification and from where the excess 9 posts was brought and filled for Tenyedie. “All this shows the apparent irregularities in the declaration of this anomalous result by the concerned authority and the department,” CNTC stated. Thus, it sought clarification on the matter within 30 days time.

Dimapur, December 20 (mexN): Expressing displeasure at the frequent raids conducted by the Assam Rifles at the residences of its members, the GPRN/NSCN today lamented that a lot have been said regarding the “random raiding and tortures” meted to the members of GPRN/NSCN and their family, but nothing has been done from the end of the Assam Rifles to curb it. A press release from MIP, GPRN/NSCN stated that just recently, the Assam Rifles went about “torturing” the family members of Imyapanga Ao, Deputy Kilonser of Law & Justice, GPRN/NSCN.

“With no evidence but speculations of the Kilonser possessing two numbers of .32 hand gun, the Assam Rifles raided the residence at 03:30 AM for more than one and half hour, completely ransacking the house and properties, even going to the extent of checking the body of the Kilonser’s wife, which is an utter violation of the Ceasefire ground rules,” the release alleged. “Nothing was found, yet the search continued.” GPRN/NSCN stated it has often voiced out on the actions of the Assam Rifles, but to date, nothing has been done to mend their ways. “GPRN/NSCN is of the view that continuation

of such raids and immature behaviour is not only an act of mocking the Ceasefire ground rules, but also an act of provocation.” GPRN/NSCN further asked the authorities concerned to instruct and educate their men on the Ceasefire ground rules.

Fireworks, bonfire, dancing and singing marked the concluding night of the second edition of the 4-day Chumukedima Night Bazar held at the town local ground. Former chairman of Chumukedima Town Committee, Batuo Kuotsu, the guest of honour, in his address lauded the organizers for organizing the Night Bazar, which he said was a welcome event in the cosmopolitan Chumukedima Town. He said events such as the Night Bazaar provided an opportunity to citizens, both from Chumukedima and adjoining areas, to come and do shopping as

Guest of honour of the concluding ceremony of the Chumukedima night Bazar along with the organizers.

well as enjoy various entertainment programmes during the festive season. Koutsu expressed optimism that the Night Bazaar would grow bigger and

better each passing year. The former CTC chairman also urged the oragnizers and volunteers of the event to remain vigilant so that such events meant for fam-

Kaito urges students to work GPRN/NSCN condemns raid by AR hard, fight against social evils

24 join GPRN/NSCN GPRN/NSCN welcomed 24 people who joined its fold from various groups at council headquarters, Khehoi designated camp on December 16. According to the press release from MIP, GPRN/ NSCN, 18 of the 24 were from NSCN (K), two from FGN (NA), and four from NSCN (IM).

ZuNheboto, December 20 (NepS): Former Minister and senior NPF MLA G Kaito Aye has called upon the students to work hard to achieve academic excellence, saying there is no alternative to hard work to achieve their goals. Speaking as chief guest at the 38th Zungti Village Students’ Union’s annual conference at Zungti village on December 19, he urged the student communities to also play their important role in containing the “social evils” in the society. Kaito also stressed on the importance of preserving the age old traditions and cultures and further

ily funs and entertainment are not marred or spoiled by unruly incidents. The guest of honour also lighted the bonfire to mark the night-long cel-

ebration. Chairman, Chumukedima Chamber of Commerce & Trade Association (CCCTA), Avi Chase, proposed vote of thanks. It may be mentioned the second edition of the Chumukedima Night Bazaar with more than 150 stalls drew a large number of visitors, including from Dimapur. Many of the stalls like handicraft and eateries run by local entrepreneurs and youth ran out of stock by Sunday evening due to popular demand. This year, the Night Bazaar was jointly organized by CCCTA, Chumukedima Town Students’ Union, and Chumukedima Town Council.

Mex FiLe 39th Sanis ACCC office bearers resign

Wokha, December 20 (mexN): The office bearers of 39th Sanis ACCC A/C and thousands of Congress supporters from 38th A/C and 40th A/C in Wokha district along with Sulanthung Lotha, former MLA have resigned from Congress and decided to join Naga Peoples' Front to strengthen the leadership of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, NPF President and TR Zeliang, Chief Minister, Nagaland. The resignation was in protest against the "autocratic" functioning of K. Therie, President, NPCC (I), stated a press release from Yanajamo Lotha, 39th Wokha A/C, Rabemo Ezung, 39th Sanis AC, and Dr. Rilan Odyuo, PCC Member, 39th A/C. The release acG Kaito aye (left), huskha yepthomi (middle), and temsu cused Therie of not having concern whatsoever for the Longkumer (right) after the inauguration of Zungti village feelings of the grassroots party loyalist. gate at Zungti village on december 19. urged the village folks to always pay attention in preserving their rich traditions and cultures, which are their identity. A large number of stu-

dents from Zungti village, Chairman AMPC, Huskha Yepthomi, Zunheboto DC, Temsu Longkumer, and other invitees attended the kohima, December 20 (mexN): Office of the function. Angami Students’ Union (ASU) will remain closed from December 23 till January 13. In case of emergency, anyone can contact any ASU official or President9856200353/ General Secretary- 8794038033, informed the union.

ASU office to be closed from Dec 23-Jan 13

NIHESW celebrates 25 years of existence MCRC celebrates 25 years

service of Rev. Viratuo Rürhie

Our Correspondent Kohima | December 20

Governor PB Acharya, Chief Minister TR Zeliang and several others complimented the Nagaland Institute of Health, Environment & Social Welfare (NIHESW) on the occasion of its silver jubilee celebration on Saturday here at Zonal Council Hall. “It is indeed a joyous moment for the Institute for serving as a guide and performing noble professions/duties which have helped the Naga society. Let us now look to the future and at the same time learn from the past for continuing to bring excellence in all walks of our life,” penned Governor PB Acharya in the NIHESW souvenir. “I laud the efforts of NIHESW in trying to creating mass awareness about the simple golden rule of health, and the important

meNgujuma, December 20 (mexN): Mengujuma Christian Revival Church (MCRC) celebrated Rev. Viratuo Rürhie’s 25 years in the service of the lord from 19902015 at MCRC, Mengujuma village on December 13. Rev. Dr. DL Sanchu, Executive Secretary, ACRCC who was Chief secretary Pankaj Kumar releases nihesW souvenir in Kohima on december 19. the main speaker of the celMorung Photo ebration, released the sourole of the environment twenty five years. I am mate Change Dr. Neikiesa- venir of Rev. Viratuo Rürhie, and global warming in convinced that this ini- lie (Nicky) Kire. the quality of everybody’s tiative will go a long way Ujjwala T. Tirkey, Scihealth,” wrote Chief Minis- in sensitizing the people entists-‘F’ Director, Nagater TR Zeliang. about the importance of land Programme CoordiMeanwhile, Minister science education among nator, Ministry of Science phek, December 20 for Health & Family Wel- children, health care ser- & Technology, New Delhi (mexN): The Phek Stufare P. Longon said, “It is vices and preservation of also wrote in the souvenir, dents’ Union (PSU) held its heartening to see that an healthy environment that “The Institute (NIHESW) 57th general session-cumagency like Nagaland In- is left to us.” has associated with this cultural competition 2015 stitute of Health, Environ“The NIHESW’s con- department (Ministry of under the theme “Persement & Social Welfare has stant endeavor in the pro- Science and Technology) vering culture ephemeral” taken up this noble initia- motion of healthy lifestyle since 1997 and has been from December 17 to 18 at tive for promotion of sci- and congenial environ- successfully implementing Phek Village Local Ground. ence education among ment have been widely the National Children’s SciGracing the session as children and matters recommended by one and ence Congress programme chief guest, Vezühü Keyho, lated to health and en- all,” added Minister for En- in the state till date.” Principal, Capital College vironment for the past vironment, Forest & Cliof Higher Education Kohi-

a booklet named “A kekhruo sü tei kijü chükeshüu Jihova kinu vorya.” A large number of pastors, reverends and church leaders from various churches attended the celebration. To mark the occasion, jubilee memorial monolith was put up in the premises of Rev. Viratuo Rürhie, which was unveiled by Rev. Dr. Visielie Soliezuo, Chairman, ACRCC.

LBC CYE 75th Gospel Anniversary Dimapur, December 20 (mexN): The Losami Baptist Church, Christian Youth Endeavour (CYE) Department is celebrating its 75th Gospel Anniversary on December 27 with Rev. Dr. Chekrovei Cho-o, Associate Professor of Applied Theology, Oriental Theological Seminary-Bade, Dimapur as the Speaker/Minister. The Organising Committee has invited all its members and well wishers to attend the programme.

PSU holds 57th general session ma stressed on the need to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage. He also challenged the students to uphold and follow the village customary laws. “Youth also need to play a key role in different aspects of life,” he added. Dr. Zokho Venuh, Vice Principal, Capital College of Higher Education spoke on the occasion as the re-

Birthday GreetinGs

source person. The session was marked by meritorious award to all grade “A” holders from Class IX & above, folk dance competition for late Hüvekhüyi Soho Memorial Trophy, folk song (duet) competition, business hour etc. Dear Kupu Sentikumla Meanwhile, the Union ish you a day full of selected its new team of exjoy and fun. May God ecutive council for the ten- bless you. ure 2015-17. Odi, eza and oba

Public SPace

FNR CALLS FOR NON-VIOLENCE

he Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), along with a number of concerned Nagas, has met to take stock of the situation following the “Framework Agreement” reached between the NSCN(IM) and the Government of India(GoI) on 3rd August 2015 in Delhi. For a decade FNR has worked to bring all the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) together, as desired by the Nagas, for meaningful reconciliation, with the hope that an honorable political solution acceptable to both Nagas and India would be achieved. FNR is humbly grateful to God for the positive response of the NPGs, the support of the Churches, the Hohos and the Public for whatever has resulted from its efforts, especially the dramatic lowering of the level of bloodshed in our society. The decisive shift in the thinking of NPGs showed acknowledgement of the roadmap of change and reconciliation they all know they should take for the benefit of all Nagas. The discernable change demonstrated by the

NPGs has given hope to the Nagas. Fully conscious of the high promise of the journey thus started, as well as all the perils if it is discontinued, FNR calls upon all Nagas and the NPGs to pause, ponder and make the right response to the challenges confronting us today. FNR is concerned that a settlement that may turn out to be the best for the Nagas under today’s circumstances is in real danger of being characterized only as an Indo-NSCN(IM), not an Indo-Naga settlement. Such an interpretation could give rise to violence. A renewal of conflict will become too heavy a burden for the Naga people to bear after the decades of destructive conflict they have lived through. It is clear that a moment has come for a settlement that Nagas as well as GoI urgently need. We should also be aware of both the fearful dangers and the opportunities presented by the process. FRN therefore firmly appeals to the NSCN(IM) and the other NPGs to grasp the rare opportunity together and take Naga soci-

ety forward. This in our view will require a meeting between the NSCN(IM) and other groups to discuss the terms being negotiated for a settlement. The hidden dangers and opportunities of the situation will require the other NPGs to respond truthfully and responsibly demonstrating the needed statesmanship at this juncture. The response to such transparency shown by the NSCN(IM) will be an indicator of the unanimity by the national workers for the long term good of all Nagas. FNR urges all groups and individuals not to resort to any kind of provocation or violence, if and when any Agreement might be signed and implemented. This is especially important with respect to NSCN(IM) and the GoI, and all other NPGs, State politicians and officials. The FNR calls upon the Churches, Tribe Hohos, Naga Civil society Organizations and all the Naga people to remain alert and vigilant to prevent and oppose all forms of violence. Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR)

ellow Nagas, we are living under an illusion here in Nagaland. We are under the illusion that everything is well and good here. We have reached the lowest point of decadence. We have been harming ourselves too much. We have been so greedy and selfish that we have no legacy to lay down for our future generations. I ask of you all: what kind of future do you want for your children and the future generations? Would you want a broken house where everything is messed up and where one does not know right from wrong? Are we so ignorant of the fact that we are blinded by lies? We the people of Nagaland, the so-called common ones, the ordinary ones are the ones who have the real power. We have the power to change Nagaland for the better and the power to shake Heaven and Earth. We must know our power and be aware of our rights, duties and responsibilities. If we are to pursue our aims and goals with determination and in faith, no force on earth could possibly stop us, no guns and bullets enough

Our God-given right to bring us down. We are fed lies every day and made to believe them, so much that we refuse to accept the truth. As you read this, imagine what kind of Nagaland you see in the future. Does it not bother you even a bit that we are in a sorry state of affairs? We are given second class treatment by the powers that be. We are just mere pawns in their megagames. We are nothing more than trading objects. But then again, if we ponder on it for a while, whose fault is it? The big fault ultimately lies in us. We have given the wolves in sheep skin a free hand to destroy Nagaland, go about wherever they like and do whatever they like. They hardly work for the people, for us; and mostly for them. We can’t really blame them, can we? We brought this burden upon ourselves. Even if you complain, what can you possibly do now? Turn back time? Wish upon a wishing star? Pray that everything is good and that, this was all just a bad dream? We must believe

in ourselves that we are capable of bringing about positive changes to our land. It is us who will reap what we sow. We must be ever aware of what is going on in this day and age. We cannot afford to remain complacent, dear Nagas. Ignorance and complacency are eating away our land and most importantly, our rights. Let us not fade away in silence and mediocrity. There are many issues that need to be dealt with immediately. We have the issue of scholarship, non-payment of salaries, roads that are fit for off-road races and which turn into rivers and streams whenever it rains, and then we have extortions, taxations and so much more that are just too overwhelming. The elected government which emphasizes on ‘unity’ seems to have not realized the fact that while they’re going around here and there, talking about unity and inclusiveness, there are so many divisions cracking up within Naga society. People are discontent as ever. There is

a lack of doing things systematically here in Nagaland. If there is one thing to remember, it is that nothing is permanent except change. And change, we must. We must always be on our toes and be alert. Let us not be lazy and say: this is not for me to do. That’s for them to do. Ultimately, what we require is total faith in God. He will never abandon us. And we should live in truth and fairness. We must also remember that change does not happen overnight. What we require is for us to hold on to our faith and unity and the belief that we can do this, and someday we will bear the fruits of our labor. “Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. The grave will supply plenty of time for silence.” “They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, and in the days of famine they will have abundance. But the wicked will perish; and the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures, they vanish-like smoke they vanish away. The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives.…” I Longkumer

The Morung Express is introducing “Public Space” as part of our intention to provide deliberate space for the opinions of the people to be expressed and heard through this newspaper. Nonetheless, The Morung Express points out that the opinions expressed in the contents published in the “Public Space” do not reflect the views and position of the newspaper or the editor.

MonDAY 21•12•2015

IN FOCUS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

The Power of Truth

The Morung Express X issue 347X issue 185 Thursday 9volume July 2015 volume By aheli moitra

Dimapur's hotspot: The New Market

ew Market in Dimapur is currently bursting at its seams. It is Christmas time and, as the old adage goes, this time there is no money in Nagaland; let’s shop! Vegetable and fruit sellers aside, the fare is large. Hair trinkets, nail art, body art, bags, undergarments, jewellery and shoe sellers are having a gala. Women who venture out to buy a small clip land up buying a nail polish, and just one more shirt, and ‘oh this shoe looks good,’ and it’s so cheap! Then there are the clay pots in a corner, cutlery everywhere, and lights are so popular this time of year, even the common grocer keeps a few at hand. But the crown prince of shopping is the second hand market that begins in veins and turns arterial. ‘Sweat shirts. Fresh. Just arrived at 11, will be over by 4.’ Myriad colourful slogans flow with the second hand clothing that is showered into the arteries of a portion of New Market. Jackets, sweaters, shirts, mufflers, curtains, blankets, bed sheets, socks, caps, hats, shoes, pants, pyjamas—name it and you can have it. Polar bear caps for Rs. 50? Check. Warm winter pyjamas for Rs. 100? Check. Pennsylvania University sweat shirt for Rs. 200? Check. Fancy jacket for Rs. 200-600? Check. Size zero to the upper limit of human size? Check. American or Korean? Check. To support the bazaar, an army of tailors keep time with wear and tear. There are tailors in every other corner of the second hand market—each with their own specialisation. Some work only on stitching torn garments, some make from scratch, some work only on men’s clothing and some only on women’s. Every group of tailor has their own tea seller. As you walk through this eclectic trading zone, you cannot help but marvel at how people have managed to create this wonderful bazaar in this labyrinth of slip shod back alleys. There is no rich and poor here. There is no ‘local’ and ‘non local’. You can barely see the buyer next to you. Toeing past drains, you also have to dodge the pan spits that come from all direction from the beautifully dressed and made up ladies. New Market is the place to put up your competitive best. The Market is the underbelly of semi constructed buildings and a “flyover” (in popular parlance). Iron rods jut out from many of the upper echelons of the ground zone it occupies. There are others where the top stories are occupied by people who actually own these market spaces, jutting out into wooden carts, protected by blue tarpaulin sheets. From Bata to Converse to cobblers, one can find any make they prefer in this consumer space. New Market is the globalised hotspot of Nagaland. It is the most cherished space—of both cheap and accessible shopping—as well as one that came under violent attack earlier this year. It has provided our loved ones with great many gifts and covered us in fashion to keep up with the world. In the day it is the portal that binds life with capital, at night a heap of garbage and by morning again a spotless maze, waiting to be occupied, by both the buyer and seller. It is Dimapur in pint size. It is a big source of income for the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), with their collection team out every day (themselves with shopping bags in hand). It is thus their responsibility to keep the place clean and hygienic, open it up with proper drains, to keep the population circulating through the Market healthy and wise. It is also up to us to make sure that shopping remains a joyous experience instead of the irresponsible filth it quickly becomes. Send us your New Market stories to moitramail@yahoo.com

lEfT wiNg |

Ralph Nader

The Tradition of Charity

he old saying “it’s better to give than to receive” is often recited around the holidays when it comes to the tradition of gift giving. This type of giving is usually centered on small, personal gifts such as items of clothing, books, and delicious food. But the saying can apply to the rewards of giving beyond friends and family. Our generosity can also include long-lasting ways to benefit society now and in the future. We must ask ourselves what gifts we want to give to future generations so that their lives can be nourished. In my book, The Seventeen Traditions, I wrote about the ideals my parents passed along to my siblings and me. The chapter on “the tradition of charity” contains the following story, which I hope will inspire some reflection and contemplation this holiday season: One bright summer afternoon, Dad took me for a ride around town. I suspected there was a purpose to this trip beyond catching the breezes by the lake or watching the teenagers playing sandlot baseball near the high school, and I was right. First, we drove past the Beardsley and Memorial Library. Ellen Rockwell Beardsley had started this institution in 1901, he told me, with a donation of ten thousand dollars—a princely sum at that time. He then drove up Spencer Street until we got to the Litchfield Country Hospital—the first such institution in the county in 1902, when it was built, and also a product of private charity. Down a few more roads to the other end of town, and we were at the Gilbert School, a high school that for years was regarded as among the best in the nation. The Gilbert School was launched by a local industrialist, William Gilbert, who built the world-renowned Gilbert Clock Company in Winsted. His original gift established Gilbert as a private secondary school, the Gilbert School, but it gradually became more public over the years as more tax dollars were used to supplement a declining endowment. Turning left, my father drove up a hill to Highland Lake. Nearby there was a small, inviting park with some seats and tables for having outdoor lunches—a park established by another local philanthropist. Then we made a 180-degree turn and drove down toward the long Main Street—passing the Winchester Historical Society, founded and nurtured with charitable contributions. He drove past some other charities, including the imposing Gilbert Home for orphans and other needy children, and arrived at the beautiful Soldiers’ Monument, so central to my childhood imagination. The town had paid a dear price in casualties during the Civil War, and after the war ended a volunteer veteran and local philanthropist promoted the idea of such a memorial; it was finally dedicated in 1890. With several donated acres of hilltop land, the structure and its grounds soon became a haven for the townspeople, who still conduct summer theater there, and whose children frolic on its grounds or run around the perimeter. When we’d finished our tour of the area, my father pulled up to our house and turned the ignition off. “See all those fine establishments in our little town?” he said to me. “Think about how important they are to our community. Then ask yourself this question: Since 1900, there were and are at least a hundred townspeople as wealthy as those philanthropists were. What kind of town would this be if those people put some of their wealth back into the community the same way?” We sat there together in silence, a light wind breezing through the open windows. While I’ve since traveled many miles to many places, I’ve never forgotten the lesson I learned on that one trip.

C O M M E N T A R Y

Eduardo Álvarez Vanegas

Colombia - A farewell to arms 2015 ends with crucial progress in the negotiation process. Once the victims' viewpoint has been agreed, the laying down of arms is now one of the most difficult remaining points

his year ends with vitally important progress in the negotiation process between the Colombian government and the FARC. On the one hand, the official announcement of an agreement on the victims is now a fact. On the other, Sergio Ibáñez, a member of the FARC negotiating team in Havana, said recently that "as we are closing the point on the victims, we have built the platform for analyzing the question of the end of the conflict". These are not minor developments, for in addition to the partial agreements on comprehensive agricultural development policy, political participation, and the solving of the drug problem, we are adding now what has been so far the hardest negotiating point - the point on the victims, which includes the transitional justice framework - and we are giving a definite push to that of the end of the conflict. The third point (end of the conflict) of the "General Agreement on the end of the conflict and on building a stable and lasting peace", defined in 2012 by the Colombian government and the FARC, establishes the "laying down of arms." This issue began to be formally addressed that year through a joint technical subcommittee, composed of senior serving military and police officers and members of the guerrilla group. The creation of this subcommittee attracted some criticism. Those who oppose the process argued that it is illegal to have serving military and police personnel sitting at the negotiating table because this equates them with the terrorists - and it has also, incidentally, a demoralizing effect on the troops. The government has stated that it is only normal that these issues be addressed by those who have actually been waging war in the field and thus have the technical and operational knowledge required at this stage of the negotiation. Another point that has caused much heated discussion is the terminology to be used. While some argue that "laying down arms" is the same as "disarming", this semantic debate entails, in fact, many underlying meanings and carries many emotions related to the history of the FARC. The guerrilla has insisted that the arms will indeed be put down as long as there are sufficient guarantees that it will be able to defend its ideals without having to use them – for arms, it argues, are not "fetishes" but rather tools of resistance which, peace coming, would become useless and therefore should be abandoned. To "lay down arms" indicates a voluntary act by the FARC and, at the same time, an agreement which is the result of a process of political negotiation. Quite the opposite, that is, to “disarming”, which connotes submission and even surrenders - the truth being that the FARC have not been defeated militarily by the Colombian government, and they have indeed presented themselves in Havana as a negotiating partner, not a counterpart on which an absolute winner is going to impose its will. In any case, an important step in this debate on the laying down of arms was taken on September, 23, with the announcement of a partial agreement on the issue of transitional justice. In addition to unifying the parties’ terminology with the agreed formula of "the laying down of arms", it was also agreed to start the process within the two months following the signing of the final agreement – that is, by May 2016. Likewise, the agreement stresses the importance of the laying down of arms as a necessary condition for the guerrilla members to access legal benefits. Some points to take into account This is not, by any means, the first time that a debate goes on in Colombia, nor is this the first process of laying down arms that has been undertaken. While previous processes have used the term "disarming", Colombia is now left, after a long apprenticeship, with plenty of experience, to which should be added some international ones too, which have much to offer. Some reflections are thus well worth bringing up here. One has to do with the design of a protocol for the laying down of arms which, as a result of the negotiations between the government and the FARC, should establish its chronogram and schedules, procedures, budgets, activities, monitoring, verification, and the definition of an institutional legal framework for the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process and the handling of the weapons. In this regard, the experience of previous processes in Colombia, the clues derived from international experiences, the guidelines enclosed in the DDR integrated standards, the Stockholm Initiative and the Cartagena Contribution, together with the creativity and imagination that these transitional and exceptional measures allow, are some of the pieces to take into account to ensure that the technical, operational, legal and security aspects are duly secured. The drawing up of a roadmap from the start will generate trust, transparency and effectiveness, and avoid confusion and communication shortcomings. For example, the peace processes in Congo, Northern Ireland, Nepal and Sierra Leone ran into serious technical and operational trouble due to lack of funds and straightforward provisions to carry out the disarmament - prompting unrest, delays and disruptions. Another point to be considered is the verification, monitoring and support of the disarmament process. Ideally, such a process should be carried out by a neutral third party, so as to ensure impartiality and help mitigate the feeling of humiliation and mis-

Post-conflict perspectives in Colombia 2016 will be a crucial year for the peace process. As a contribution to progress along the road, jointly with the Fundación Ideas para la Paz in Bogotá we are launching a series on the post-conflict perspectives

he discussion on the post-conflict stage in Colombia is particularly relevant today, as the peace process negotiating delegations are showing a renewed optimism, as does the government and the international community, despite persistent skepticism and great uncertainty on the part of Colombian society. In these defining moments, helping to promote a greater awareness among the informed opinion in Latin America, and to broaden the debate at the global level, is the contribution DemocraciaAbierta/openDemocracy and the Foundation Ideas for Peace can make to a process in its decisive hours. Several elements in the regional scene can result in an acceleration of the General Agreement for the termination of the conflict and the construction of a Stable and Lasting Peace in Colombia: from the rapprochement between Cuba and the US, or the role of Maduro’s Venezuela, greatly weakened after the last elections, to political developments in Colombia itself. The impact that an agreement such as this would have on the region can be analyzed as the geopolitical element contributing to the stabilization and sustainability of the agreement in the post-conflict scenario. The opposite situation, an unfavorable regional background, is also a possibility. It is essential to look at the medium and long term. Through this series, DemocraciaAbierta and the Fundación Ideas para la Paz want to explore in the coming months the scenarios that can guarantee the fundamental premise of the current process: a stable and lasting peace. In this regard, it is important to consider the soundness of its foundations in order to ensure that "never again" is actually so. We build on the expertise of analysts and writers that openDemocracy has accumulated over the years - especially from May, 2012, through the Conflict in context: Colombia series. The Fundación Ideas para la Paz, on its part, has acquired

significant knowledge through its 15-year experience in intensive work on various aspects of the process. It is today an outstanding player generating knowledge, proposing initiatives, developing practices and accompanying processes, thus contributing to building a stable and lasting peace in Colombia. The series will address several questions, such as the role of the international actors in the postconflict stage, both in their technical and political capacity. The management of the peace dividend on the basis of a successful execution strategy should take into consideration the costs of peace. It is important, in this sense, to control the post-conflict expectations and to ensure the involvement, sustained over time, of the warring factions, the general public, and the international community, thus preventing the (inevitable) disappointments from turning into insurmountable obstacles. Two other important issues are, on the one hand, the military question – that is, the role the military would play, or not, in the post-conflict and the reforms that the armed forces should, or should not, undergo – and, on the other hand, the humanitarian question. With some 3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and over 7 million victims, the sheer size of the humanitarian question is staggering. The post-conflict political economy must obviously take into account what to do with these people. To underpin the central question of the durability and stability of the agreement, the endorsement of a true social pact is required. The conditions under which such an endorsement takes place are as important as the nature and final narrative of the agreement to be endorsed. In this sense, the 1989 Good Friday agreements in Northern Ireland are certainly inspiring. Even today, after 17 years into post-conflict, Good Friday is the preferred reference in case of tension or disagreement. To define the role of civil society in the postconflict management of truth, reconciliation, reparation and compensation issues, should ensure a solid and high quality transitional justice. The coming months will be crucial. We hope that this series will contribute to a better understanding of the scenarios that are being shaped in these momentous times, and of the huge task that all the national and international stakeholders, who are deeply committed to building this stable and durable peace, must undertake.

trust between the parties. Canadian expert Cornelis Steeken has indicated that the verification team can be either international or national, or an NGO, but what really matters in the end is its independence from the opposing sides and that its work should include the daily monitoring of the containers, if this is the adopted mechanism, to check whether the weapons and ammunition are whole. In order to ensure its effectiveness, the mandate and scope of this intervention -including the duties, obligations, restrictions, coverage and budget - must be established from the very beginning. For example, the support of the disarmament process of the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia – AUC) between 2003 and 2006, even though established by an agreement between the Misión de Apoyo al Proceso de Paz de la Organización de los Estados Americanos (the Organization of American States’ Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia - MAPP/OEA) and the Colombian government, was not reviewed or agreed to – it was a discretionary decision that was fine-tuned on the go, leaving serious doubts as to the roles of the different parties and the verification work. The protocol must be flexible enough to prevent not only mistrust between the parties in case of noncompliance, but also suspicions regarding the process on the part of civil society. This is exactly what happened in El Salvador, where the delivery terms for the weapons was restrictively defined; this generated such high levels of distrust that the agreements were on the verge of reaching a breaking point. It should also be recalled that the last issue the delegations at the 1995 Dayton Accords for peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina discussed was the pace of arms reduction by the conflicting parties. Disarmament must initially focus on the arms in possession of the guerrillas. In Mozambique, for example, the disarmament of rebel groups - with UN involvement - was complemented in the following years by a process of collecting weapons from civilians by the church. There was, that is, a broad arms control or voluntary disarmament process of the civilian population. It should be added that all weapons must be handed over, including those damaged or handmade. In Sierra Leone, many of the defective weapons were returned to former combatants, thus raising the risk of being reused. Another important aspect has to do with the borders that Colombia shares with its neighbors. To prevent the transfer of weapons into neighboring countries, given the presence of the FARC in the border areas, it is crucial to set up bilateral mechanisms for discussion on the subject with the governments of Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Ecuador and Brazil . This should help mitigate the risk of weapons reaching the black market. In Mozambique and South Africa, a joint disarmament initiative was designed to prevent arm-surplus traffic at the border. Two opposite cases are those of El Salvador and Mali, where lack of dialogue with neighboring governments facilitated the illicit arms trade in the border area and the setting-up of underground arm caches in these countries. The laying down of arms, moreover, happens in different contexts. When defining the assembly areas, one should take into account the armed groups

that are still active in the country - apart from the FARC -, such as the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Army - ELN), the Ejército Popular de Liberación (People’s Liberation Army - EPL), criminal gangs and other illegal organizations operating in urban and rural areas. These groups can carry out actions against the process, endangering the safety of the demobilized troops, of those who carry out and verify, and the surrendered weapons too. Information about the weapons should be readily available. At the planning stage of the disarmament process, it is important that the requirements for collecting information on weapons should be clearly defined in order to allow their effective tracking for final disposal. Information should also be collected on serial numbers, the arms makers, and any distinctive physical marks on the weapons, as well as other available data that must be fed into an information registration system. Finally, the country and the world must know what happens in the course of this process. It is thus necessary to design and implement an accountability mechanism covering the laying down and the destruction of arms. This should include a methodology for the processing, delivery and publication of periodical reports certifying and validating the processes at the local, national and international level. This is crucial, especially if the surrender of weapons ceremonies are conducted, as in Northern Ireland, in a reserved and confidential way – a model which the FARC has insisted in following. Indeed, the confidentiality of the process aroused mistrust and tension between the parties and prevented observers from knowing how it was carried out in detail. This was the case because the international body that advised the disarmament process, headed by US Senator George Mitchell, recommended that the arms seizure should not look like a victory, or a defeat, of the parties involved, and that the process be undertaken in a private manner. This entailed, for instance, that the final destination of the weapons be not known and the process, which was intended to last two years, extended as a result to seven years. The scene of the laying down of arms by the FARC will therefore be a sensitive one and should be managed by national and international experts. Civil society in different regions of Colombia has an important role to play: a role of oversight, observation, monitoring and demand of information on what is happening on a daily basis. This will certainly be a great challenge: the pure and simple execution of some of the clauses of the General Agreement, which is surely not perfect but which can be successfully carried out on the basis of some of the provisions mentioned above. The bodies in charge of the verification and monitoring will also be responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency of the laying down of arms, avoiding delays and thus the suspicion of a society that is still divided regarding the process, and of a political opposition determined to exert strong control and surveillance. Ultimately, it will also be the responsibility of both the government and the FARC to ensure that this is a transparent process, open to society, for the arms that will be laid down and destroyed will be the image of the new, no-arms politics that thousands of men and women in Colombia are wishing for.

maría victoria llorente and Francesc Badia

Dalmases

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.

MonDAY 21•12•2015

PERSPECTIVE

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

he waiting game that continued for the whole of 2015 is over. Janet Yellen, the Chairman of the Fed Reserve announced on 16th December that it would increase the target for the federal funds rate to between 0.25-0.5%. The levels were close to 0% before the change increases were signalled. This decision was taken after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)’s Dec 15-16 meetings. The 0.25-0.5% itself may look too low, but we need to look at the context of these low rates and the lower 0%rates that were prevalent before the rate hike was signalled. The Global Financial crisis that began with the fall of the Lehmann Brothers in 2008 had rattled the real economy and had sent the world economy into a tail spin. To help recovery the Fed had reduced rates systematically, reducing the cost of borrowing and thereby improving demand in the economy. This helped the US economy to certain extent but the recession could not be averted. The ripple effects of the above recession continue to be felt even today. Fed and Monetary Policy The Fed has a mandate to keep the inflation in check and within the 2% range. The interlinkages between inflation interest rates can be stylistically presented as below. Lower interest rates reduce costs of borrowing and this leads to an increase in demand for money and credit. This increase in demand leads to a situation where more money chases the given amount of goods causing a rise in the general price level or in other words inflation in the economy. Thus Fed will raise interest rates (the federal funds rate or the interest rates which banks have to pay for interbank loans) if it forecasts that inflation rates will be high. The policy stance will be the opposite if they think that there will be low economic activity. The Fed has an explicit inflation target, but that does not mean that the Fed is unconcerned about unemployment/economic growth. The late 1920s early 1930s depression was according to some economic historians and analysts caused in no small part by the inopportune tightening of the economy. Tighter credit and higher interest rates reduced aggregate demand in the

UP, FINALLY!

policy

papers

By Vyasan R

economy and this reduced economic activity. The increase in interest rates the Fed has signalled implies that its prognosis about the economy is sanguine. In fact, the press statement mentions, declining unemployment levels, improved household spending, recovering housing sector and increased rates of business fixed investment. The committee expects that the increased economic activity will lead to inflationary pressures coming back into the economy. To accommodate the anticipated increase in inflation the interest rate increases have been engineered by the Fed. The Fed is expected to increase the rates by paying 0.5% interest rates on excess deposits held by banks and also to use the reverse repurchase programme. The October meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) did not end up raising rates partly because of the nascent nature of the recovery and the then weak position of the Chinese RMB that saw some downward pressure. But, the climate has changed and the RMB has been included in the basket of reserve currencies for the IMF’s SDR. The favourable global climate and the domestic economy that is looking increasingly resilient have bolstered the decision of the US Fed to raise the rates. The prognosis of the Fed has been vindicated as the markets have reacted positively to the interest rate hikes as the stock markets have shown gains with the S&P 500 extending its gain to more than 1.5% on the day of the rate

hike. The US dollar has also appreciated since the policy hike with respect to both the euro and the Japanese yen. Emerging Markets and the rate hike The impact of the increase in target rates will impact the emerging markets as funds leave these economies and investment in the US stock markets increase. From 2005, roughly $9 trillion has gone into these markets. This money has increased the debt levels in the emerging markets both within the nonfinancial companies (90% of emerging market GDP) and by households (30% of GDP). Fuelled by the near zero rates these levels of borrowings have led to highly leveraged positions in most of the companies. The interest rate hike will impact these companies as there will be larger outflow of funds for debt servicing. The outflow of funds can put downward pressure on the exchange rates of the emerging markets like India, China, South Africa, Turkey and others. This can hurt these economies and they may send them into a tailspin. The global growth rates are dependent on the emerging economies as the developed regions have experienced very low growth rates.The emerging markets more than 35% to the global GDP. However since the rate increase these currencies have not been impacted to the same extent as was expected. This may be short lived and may unwind in the future as economies like Russia, Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia have borrowed heavily on the market and servicing these debts could become problematic.

China could present another source of worry. In November 2015 alone, China saw a capital outflow of more than $113 billion. If the People’s Bank of China were to adopt a loose monetary policy this could further exacerbate the outflow causing its competitors in Asia to competitively devalue their currencies as well. The instability that this series of devaluations generate could be another source of tension in a global economy that is in the throes of a nascent recovery. Central banks that have raised rates, like the Eurpoean Central Bank, the Bank of Japan and the SweishRiksbankhave had to reverse their increases and go back to easy monetary policy. This reversal occurred as the financial sector reacted adversely to the move. However, some analysts believe that reversing the policy by reverting to the earlier Quantitative Easing (QE) may not be politically feasible at all. Hence, both economists and investors expect that there may not be a reversal of the interest rate hikes that the Fed has initiated. Impact on India India does not have high levels of foreign debt and our growth projections are still above 7%. The fiscal deficit is well under control and since at least April 2015 the markets have been anticipating a rate hike. This has already has therefore been factored into the prices in financial markets. If one remembers the Indian currency in the ‘taper tantrum’ aftermath had fallen to a record low of 68.85 to the dollar in August 2013. The rupee stands at a comfortable 66.31 now and the reasons for any worry on the capital outflow from India are minimal. However, as the year progresses and the full impact of the shortfalls in rainfall are seen there may be a downward revision of the growth projections. This could later cause some anxiety as investors may take offsetting positions. In addition, the contagion effect of a depreciating RMB may also impact India and therefore the RBI is expected to keep building up its dollar reserves for a rainy day. In short the next few months will be an exciting time for macro policy wonks. (The author is an IAS officer of Nagaland cadre. The views expressed in his column, featured every Monday, are personal. Feedback can be emailed to vyasan_r@yahoo.com)

Corruption, poverty hinder fight to save Africa's forests Emma Farge

Reuters

hen Idrissa Balde, mayor of a small community in southern Senegal, blew the whistle on illegal logging in a nearby forest reserve, he says the government agent charged with protecting the trees proposed a deal to keep him quiet. What Balde says was on offer typifies the problems many African countries face in enforcing high-minded policies supposed to counter deforestation and its effect on environments already vulnerable to climate change. With a small change of wording, the forestry official said, the official paperwork could be made to show the trees were felled outside the Dabo national reserve in unprotected forest, allowing the mayor's office to take a cut of the proceeds. "This was not my objective. I want those responsible to be arrested and punished, with their permits taken away," the Dabo mayor said, sitting on a pile of logs in a clearing where, until September, rare African mahogany trees had stood. The forest ministry in the southern region of Casamance, whose main city is Zinguinchor, rejected Balde's version of events. Colonel Aly Seck, the ministry's regional representative, denied any corruption attempt and blamed Balde for the destruction in the Dabo forest. Many African governments have introduced reforms such as export bans on timber, which often ends up as furniture or flooring in wealthier countries. However, the dilemmas faced by officials like Balde, many of whom are less inclined to take a stand against corruption, show the limitations of such measures. Senegal has been a leading African voice for improving the management of natural resources. A planned "Great Green Wall" from its capital Dakar across the continent to Djibouti in East Africa aims to create a natural forest barrier against the southward expansion of the Sahara Desert. President Macky Sall boasts that Senegal has already restored 25,000 hectares of degraded land under the project, and such efforts are helping to win billions of dollars in financing for the region at climate talks in Paris this month. But ecologists say a combination of logging and shifting rainfall patterns linked to climate change mean that nearly double that acreage is lost in Senegal each year, leaving bald savannah where forests were once so dense they blotted out the sun. "In many forest-rich countries the problem is entrenched corruption driven by strong demand from consumer countries," said Naomi Basik

In this file photo, a Congolese park guard wanders through the wreckage of a destroyed section of Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. (Reuters Photo)

Treanor, of the U.S.-based non-profit organisation Forest Trends. "It is hard for them to pass up these short-term benefits." CHINESE DEMAND Chief among those consumer countries is China. Over the past decade, as African governments have tried to curb illicit logging, Chinese customs data show that annual imports of timber products from West and Central African countries have increased more than four-fold to $1.9 billion in 2014. Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, said China strictly regulated timber imports and required its companies abroad to act in accordance with local laws and regulations. In Gabon, Asian demand has caused a jump in the price of wood from the rare Kevazingo tree, which can take 500 years to grow to its full height of 40 metres (130 feet). Gabon has made more than 30 arrests since October, according to Luc Mathot, a co-founder of the EAGLE Network conservation group. Among those arrested were a number of government agents. "(Officials) do not close their eyes to this business for free," said Mathot. "Some of them have gone as far as organizing the exports themselves with the exploiters." Even more worrying, he said, are the countries where there is little evidence that authorities are even trying to crack down on illegal practices. Among them Mathot cites Democratic Republic of Congo, home to much of the Congo Basin, the world's

second largest tropical forest after the Amazon. The government imposed a moratorium in 2002 on all new industrial logging licences but campaign group Global Witness says the national laws are systematically violated. POVERTY, CORRUPTION While much smaller, Senegal's forests, concentrated in Casamance, serve as a bulwark against regional desertification and the government has therefore banned timber exports. But local people claim wood from the region is simply sent into Gambia, a sliver of a country wedged inside Senegal which allows wood harvested in neighbouring nations to be exported via its port. Most of Gambia's own forests have been chopped down, but it shipped about $50 million worth of wood to China between January and October this year, up from $33 million in all of 2014. Gambia's environment minister was not reachable for comment. On a recent visit to Digante, a village on the Senegalese side of the border, residents said that a makeshift timber depot had been emptied that same day by Gambia-bound trucks. A low-intensity conflict between the Senegalese government and Casamance rebels that has lasted four decades has helped to open the door to trafficking, observers say, by impeding forest surveillance. Buyers, villagers said, typically pay 10,000 CFA francs ($16.50) per log and sometimes offer a motorcycle once a supplier has reached a fixed quota,

princely rewards in a region where youth unemployment is estimated at around 60 percent. "There's no work here. That's why we cut the trees," said Diediou who gave only his first name, carrying two trunks on a small donkey-drawn cart through the Tanghory state forest. In a testament to the state's efforts to stop the illicit trade, nine seized trucks with Gambian licence plates were parked in the local office of Senegal's forestry department. Nonetheless, villagers and ecologists said much of the smuggling occurs under the noses or even with the complicity of government agents. "Everyone pretends to follow official procedures but it's all a sham," said Haidar El Ali, a former Senegalese environment minister. One government agent involved in a scheme to smuggle timber concealed beneath a layer of legal firewood was arrested last month, said a senior forestry official. Senegal's environment ministry declined a Reuters request for comment. Forestry agents in Casamance complained that the dangerous job of stopping illegal timber shipments was hobbled by a lack of resources, both human and financial. Still, some officials are trying to make positive changes. Dissatisfied with the 1.5 million CFA franc ($2,507.19)fine paid by a man charged with illegal logging in Dabo, mayor Balde says he has filed a legal complaint with the prosecutor's office. "We can't let this go on," said Balde. "Otherwise, it is us who will lose out and lose the rainfall while others get rich."

The Morung Express POll RESUlTS

Is Nagaland government providing the space for protection of freedom of the press and freedom of speech and expression? 66%

24% 10%

YES

OTHER

Some of those who voted YES had this to say • Yes, compared to many other places there is freedom of speech. Just look at our local newspapers. People are airing their opinions freely. No where else do you see such colourful exchange of opinions. • Yes. Our state government is doing all that it can in protecting the freedom of the press and freedom of speech and expression. Unlike other Northeastern states, the situation is much better in our state and this credit goes to the state government. • Yes, it is there. More than many places in India. • Yes, the state government has been actively involved in spreading awareness and keeping people informed of its programs. It does not hide anything, everything is in the open for the public. Some of those who voted NO had this to say • No, the Nagaland government does not provide protection of freedom of press and freedom of speech and expression. Instead, it is trying to control the press. Not paying the advertisement bills and keeping quiet when the Assam Rifles have come up full guns blazing to muzzle the press only shows that the state government is not concerned for the freedom of press and speech. • People have no right to speak out their rights; and if they do, they will get into trouble. There isn't any freedom of expression. • No. The state government is more concerned about protecting their own interest and safeguarding their properties. They dont care about what goes on. • No, what let the truth out? and expose all their dirty works. how can they allow that? but then the public do not really care about the truth anyway. if they did they would have set the government on fire by now. • Unfortunately a big No. The Nagaland governor supporting the Assam Rifles against our local media and our elected representatives not being able to even utter one single word is a big shame. There is no democracy in Nagaland. Our honourable chief minister prides in saying it is an oppositionless government, but it cannot even defend our Constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression. • Not. The government cares only for their own safety and for no one else. • Don’t make such cruel jokes. Where are all the voices gone? So many protests regarding nonpayment of salary were made. They have all been silenced now. There is no free speech. • There is no freedom of speech and expression in our state. It is not only the government that is to blame, it is also our village and traditional bodies that at times prevent people to speak out the truth or face social ostracism. • No, When it starts doing, we will see Election candidates debating with each other on issues, journalists freely exchanging views around table, idealeaders running societies, etc. Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say • The Nagaland government really has no power to help anyone. They are only rubber stamps. Since they have reduced themselves to being beggars in Delhi, they have reduced their self-respect and sold themselves off to the highest bidder. So how can we expect them to protect freedom of speech and expression. • The irony is that even the state government cannot voice itself, so how do we expect the government to protect our freedom of speech and expression. it is ridiculous. In Nagaland, our politicians and government may act like big people, but once they leave our state, they are like kitten and cant even open their mouth. • When there is the AFSPA in our Nagaland, I don’t know how much we can expect our state government and politicians to do. If at all they are concerned about the freedom of speech and expression, the state government, which is oppositionless should do all it can to lift the draconian afspa from our land.

MonDAY 21•12•2015

INDIA

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Kirti Azad alleges bungling in DDCA, AAP government to probe New delhi, december 20 (iANS): Former India player Kirti Azad on Sunday alleged massive financial irregularities in Delhi's cricket board even as the city government said it had ordered a probe into the DDCA's working. Addressing the media with former player Bishan Singh Bedi, Azad sought an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate into the working of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). While Azad refrained from naming anyone for the alleged bungling, Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) again sought the sacking of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who for years headed the DDCA. Simultaneously, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that former solicitor general Gopal Subramanium would head a commission to probe the functioning of the DDCA. Jaitley has denied the corruption charges hurled against him, and dubbed Azad, a leader - like him - of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a "Trojan Horse". Azad repeatedly underlined that he was not target-

Jaitley to sue Kejriwal, others

BJP MP Kirti Azad addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday.

ing any individual and that he had nothing to do with the attacks on Jaitley by the AAP, which he said "was born the other day" and was only echoing what he had been saying for eight long years. He alleged that the DDCA gave contracts to fake companies, paying them crores of rupees in cash and had fudged the audit of accounts. He played a video produced by WikiLeaks4India which claimed that some of the companies favoured by the DDCA had given

fictitious addresses. "If the companies were fake, surely the bank accounts into which the money was paid must also be fake," he said. He alleged that the DDCA hired office and other equipment at vastly inflated prices. Laptops and printers were hired at Rs.17,000 and Rs.3,000 a day, respectively. "I just want to expose corruption... I repeat this is not (a) personal (issue) or (directed) against one person. It is against corruption," Azad said. A member of the In-

dian team that won the World Cup in 1983, Azad refuted Jaitley's charge that he (Azad) had met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to target the finance minister. On his part, Azad said he was a "fan" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaitley, who headed the DDCA for 13 years till 2013, has also been accused of corruption by the Congress and the AAP. Soon after Azad detailed what he said was the financial wrongdoing in the DDCA, the AAP asked

'Don't interact with media Delhi High Court junks plea in Parliament House' for law to ban cow slaughter

New delhi, december 20 (PTi): Visitors to Parliament House have been advised not to interact with the media. "Visitors are requested not to interact with media," says an advisory written in red on casual entry permits issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. Visitors are also not permitted to carry mobile phones, cameras, fire arms etc inside the building, it said. The secretariat has not mentioned any reason for barring visitors from interacting with the media. The winter session of Parliament, which began on November 26 and scheduled to conclude on December 23, has witnessed repeated disruptions by opposition parties led by Congress for the last several days over alleged "political vendetta" by the Modi government and other issues.

New delhi, december 20 (PTi): The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain a petition seeking enactment of a law prohibiting slaughter of cows, saying the "issue is beyond the domain of judicial decision" and it's a policy matter."Suffice it is to state that the Legislature whenever has deemed necessary has framed appropriate laws in this regard and challenge thereto has been considered by the court...," a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said. "We are afraid the issue is beyond the domain of judicial decision making and is a policy matter in which the courts under the doctrine of separation of powers are not entitled to

transgress," the bench said. The court's decision came on a PIL filed by NGO Sadh Foundation, which also sought action against slaughter houses. It further sought direction to make "arrangements so that maximum environmental and economic benefits from the cow to mankind may be provided". The bench, however, termed the plea without "merit" and said even the Supreme Court in a judgement earlier had unequivocally held that the court cannot issue any direction for ban on slaughter of cows as it is a matter of policy on which decision has to be taken by the government.The same view has been taken by a full bench of the High Court of J&K..," the court observed.

Govt, states to track illegal mining with satellites New delhi, december 20 (PTi): The government has finalised its plans to track illegal mining in the country using space technology and satellite imagery in partnership with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This entails states to utilise remote sensing technology to take satellite images of their mines and update them on a regular basis every 15-30 days that will help authorities in ascertaining the extent of mining operations and check illegal extraction of minerals, a source said. "Things are in final stages of discussions with the states and this can start as early as next year", he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi

earlier this year asked various ministries like mining and urban development to collaborate with ISRO to provide better and efficient services to citizens, the source said. Confirming the development, a senior government official said that the draft of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)-ISRO MoU for tracking major minerals by IBM has been finalised. "After analysing the opportunities that this MoU presents for the mining space, Mines Ministry has asked the states to analyse the feasibility of adopting this system to monitor illegal mining within their boundaries," he added. Maharashtra, which is already monitoring illegal mining with the

help of remote sensing technology, has shown willingness to share the experiences with other states, the official said.Earlier, a high-level panel had recommended states to complete the demarcation of blocks with boundary coordinates at the earliest. This is being done so that monitoring through satellite can be carried out using space and satellite imagery in association with ISRO, he added. Keeping in view the urgency in checking illegal mining, Environment Ministry has come out with detailed guidelines on sustainable sand mining and proposed that strict monitoring and penalty must be imposed against illegal mining that has been rampant in many states.

Chidambaram debunks Government stand on capping GST rate in statute New delhi, december 20 (PTi): Debunking the stand that GST rate cannot be put on the statute, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday said there is a precedent of a tax rate being put in the Constitution besides the powers government has to impose new levies in extraordinary situations. Dismissing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's charge that the Congress party was stalling passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill for "collateral reasons", he said the party was ready to cooperate with the government but has not heard from it after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sonia Gandhi last month. "If the Government had constructively engaged with the Congress on its three principal objections since the beginning, the bill could have been passed by now," he told PTI here.

Chidambaram said Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian's report on GST endorses two out of the three demands of the Congress -- there should be no one per cent additional levy on inter state goods movement and the GST rate should not be more than 18 per cent. On Jaitley's stance that the tax rate cannot be cast in stone by including in the Constitution, he said there is a precedent when Professional Tax rate of Rs 2500 was included in the Constitution. "There is a precedent in the Constitution where the Professional Tax rate was capped at Rs 2500. It is not unprecedented. If the Government does not provide a cap in the Constitution Amendment Bill than it must be provided in the GST Bill. No tax can be levied without specifying the rate," he said. In case of extraordinary situations like natu-

ral calamities, the government always has powers to bring a new levy. Also, the income tax as well as customs duties are not being subsumed in the GST and they can be raised to mop up funds for special circumstances, he said. Explaining the reasons for the Congress demand, Chidambaram said the cap has to be in the Constitution Amendment Bill so that no government can increase the rate arbitrarily. "Our experience is that governments including the Congress government in the past have tended to increase the rates in small dozes. The GST is a regressive indirect tax and there cannot be any justification for saying it should not be put in Constitution Bill. "Bring another tax. You have the power under Entry 97 List-1. Increase income tax, increase customs duty or impose a calamity tax," he said. .

New delhi, december 20 (PTi): Union finance minister Arun Jaitley today said he will bring a defamation suit against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his party's allegations of irregularity in the Delhi cricket body. The minister had headed the DDCA for 13 years till 2013. Cases will also be filed against Aam Aadmi Party's Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Deepak Bajpayee, news agency Press Trust of India quoted the minister as saying. The minister's comments come in the backdrop of the Delhi government's order for an inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities of the state cricket body. The commission of inquiry will be headed by former Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramaniam, Kejriwal had tweeted. Modi to sack Jaitley from the government. "Jaitley is the Suresh Kalmadi of BJP," AAP leader Ashutosh told the media, referring to the former Congress MP who was linked to the alleged corruption in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. "He should be immediately sacked." Another AAP leader, Kumar Vishwas, wanted to know if Modi would continue to retain Jaitley in his cabinet even after knowing the details of the corruption charges. He said the real reason the CBI raided Kejriwal's

office on December 15 in the name of targeting his principal secretary Rajendra Kumar was to study the file which had the report of a three-member team which - on Kejriwal's orders - probed the alleged financial wrongdoing in the DDCA. The Central Bureau of Investigation has denied searching Kejriwal's office. "Kirti Azad has made it clear that Jaitley is the head of the (DDCA) scam. He should be removed," said Sanjay Singh, another AAP leader.

After Parliament truce, bills Modi govt is hopeful of passing New delhi, december 20 (PTi): After the truce in Parliament, the Modi government is hopeful about a substantial portion of pending legislative business being completed in the remaining three days of the Winter Session beginning Monday. After disruptions in both Houses, particularly the Rajya Sabha, over the last three weeks, the government and opposition arrived at an agreement on Saturday at an allparty meeting called by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari to pass those bills on which there is a general consensus, skipping the contentious GST bill. In the Upper House, where the Winter Session has been a near washout so far, 18 bills are pending. No new bill could be introduced in Rajya Sabha during the session, while the only one that was passed was the The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, which deals with cheque bounce cases. Legislative and financial items entailing 43-and-ahalf-hours of business are pending before the House, including key bills like The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill and The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill are to be taken up. There is a broad political consensus to pass the the SC/ST bill, which is a politically-sensitive issue. Apart from it there is also a general consensus to pass the Appropriation Bills, the Anti-Hijacking Bill, the Atomic Energy (Amendment) Bill, the Commercial Courts Ordinance Bill and the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill. Two other bills — The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill and The Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill have also been listed for Monday. The major bills like The Whistle Blowers Bill, The Atomic Energy (Amendment) Bill and the The Anti-Hijacking Bill have been listed for Tuesday. At the all-party meeting, it was decided that three bills – the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill – will be discussed during the remaining period but the course of action will be decided later.

Youngest convict of 2012 Delhi gang rape case released New delhi, december 20 (reuTerS):The youngest of six people convicted of the 2012 gang rape of a woman, in a case that shocked India, was freed on Sunday, a lawyer said, after a court refused to extend his three-year sentence. The case turned a global spotlight on the treatment of women in India, where police say a rape is reported every 20 minutes, and the sentence sparked debate over whether the country is too soft on young offenders. "The juvenile offender has been handed over to an NGO (non-governmental organisation) for the time being," Ashok Verma, one of the lawyers representing him, told Reuters. Verma declined to give further details. The Delhi Commission for Women has moved a plea against the release in the Supreme Court, which it has agreed to hear on Monday. "The juvenile won't have to appear before the Supreme Court tomorrow unless it passes a summons or notice to him," R.K. Tripathy, a lawyer who is not directly involved in the case, told Reuters. More than a hundred people, including the victim's parents, gathered

Police detain demonstrators during a protest against the release of a juvenile rape convict, in New Delhi on December 20. (REUTERS Photo)

in New Delhi to protest against the release. The Delhi High Court on Friday heard a petition by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician Subramanian Swamy demanding a longer sentence for the offender, who was 17 at the time of the crime, after he had received the maximum punishment of three years from the Juvenile Justice Board. The high court judges said they could not halt the release because his sen-

tence had complied with existing law. In 2012, the juvenile and five adult companions lured a 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist and her male friend onto a bus in Delhi, where they repeatedly raped the woman and beat both with a metal bar before dumping them on a road. The woman died two weeks later of her injuries. Four of the adults were sentenced to death while the fifth hanged himself in prison. The death sen-

tences have not yet been carried out. Police accused the teenager of being violent, and said he pulled out part of the woman's intestines with his hands. India responded to the public outcry over the rape by fast-tracking tougher laws against sex crimes, and members of the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have pushed to change the juvenile law and reduce the age of attaining adulthood to 16, from 18.

North India reeling under Cold wave New delhi, december 20 (PTi): Most parts in north India today continued to reel under cold wave conditions coupled with fog, with mercury plunging below the freezing point in Rajasthan's sole hill station Mount Abu. Delhiites woke up to a chilly morning with the minimum temperature dropping to 5 degrees Celsius, three notches below the normal of the season. The maximum temperature was recorded at 20º, MeT Department officials said, adding that foggy conditions in the morning was moderate with visibility recorded at 400 m. In Rajasthan, cold wave conditions revived with the state's sole hill station Mount Abu shivering below the freezing point. The lowest temperature at Mount Abu was recorded at minus 1ºC last night, six notches below normal, a MeT official said in Jaipur. Mercury plummeted by

Farmers warm themselves by a fire as they wait to sell their sugarcane crop at a mill on a cold morning at Morinda in the northern Indian state of Punjab. (REUTERS File Photo)

1 to 4º C at many places in the state with north-westerly winds adding to the chill in Rajasthan. In Haryana, the Narnaul district recorded the coldest place in the plains at 2ºC as cold wave conditions continued unabated

in the state and neighbouring Punjab. Narnaul's minimum settled three notches below normal while Hisar also reeled under biting cold at a low of 2.5ºC, which was five notches below normal. Cold conditions also

swept Ambala at 6.3ºC. Chandigarh city experienced a cold night at 6.2ºC, 2º below normal, the MeT Department said. In Punjab, Amritsar reeled under severe chill at a low of 2.7º, down two notches, while Ludhiana experi-

enced a cold night at 3.4º. However, in Jammu and Kashmir, there was some respite from cold wave conditions in Kashmir as the minimum temperatures rose by several degrees across the Valley with the state's MeT department predicting dry and colder weather in the coming week. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded the minimum temperature of minus 0.3ºC, an increase of 4º from the previous nights low of minus 4.4ºC, a MeT official said. The tourist resort of Pahalgam, which serves as a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, registered an increase of over five degrees from minus 7.9º C the previous night to settle at a low of minus 2.1ºC. The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 7.8ºC, nearly 3º up from the previous nights low of minus 10.5ºC.

MondaY 21•12•2015

WORLD

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Clinton backs Obama’s IS strategy in Democratic debate Manchester, DeceMber 20 (reUters): U.S. Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton backed elements of President Barack Obama’s strategy to fight Islamic State militants in a debate on Saturday in which she clashed with top rival Bernie Sanders over national security and the economy. Clinton came under fire from Republicans even before the debate was over for optimistically saying “we now finally are where we need to be” in Syria, and was criticized by Sanders for being too quick to push for regime change. The debate was the Democrats’ first since the deadly Dec. 2 attack by a pair of radicalized Muslims in San Bernardino, California, which along with the November attacks in Paris elevated national security to the top of the campaign agenda. Republicans have criticized Obama’s handling of Islamic State and have sought to link the former secretary of state to what they say is a failed strategy. Obama has relied heavily on U.S. air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq, and ordered the deployment of dozens of special operations troops to northern Syria to advise opposition forces in their fight against Islamic State. In Iraq, about 3,500 U.S. troops are advising and assisting Iraqi forces. Clinton agrees with

Sanders apologises to Clinton for data breach

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton looks over at U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders as he is questioned about the campaign data breach scandal during the Democratic presidential candidates debate at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire on December 19. (REUTERS Photo)

Obama on the need to use special forces and trainers but, like the president, she has said a large deployment of U.S. ground forces in the Middle East would be counterproductive. “We now finally are where we need to be. We have a strategy and a commitment to go after ISIS,” she said, noting a U.N. Security Council resolution had brought “the world together to go after a political transition in Syria.” Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush quickly responded to Clinton on Twitter. “No, Hillary Clinton, we are not ‘where we need to be’ in fight

against ISIS.” Sanders also attacked Clinton for what he described as her support for regime change in Syria, saying the United States should prioritize the fight against Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, over working to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power. “Secretary Clinton is too much into regime change and a little bit too aggressive without knowing what the unintended consequences might be,” said Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont. “Yes, we could get rid of Assad tomorrow, but that would create another political vacuum that would

benefit ISIS.” Clinton countered that Washington could pursue both goals in tandem. “We will not get the support on the ground in Syria to dislodge ISIS if the fighters there - who are not associated with ISIS, but whose principal goal is getting rid of Assad - don’t believe there is a political diplomatic channel that is ongoing. We now have that,” she said. DYNAMIC OF RACE UNCHANGED With just six weeks left until Iowa kicks off the Democratic nominating contest on Feb. 1, the de-

Washington, DeceMber 20 (Pti): Democratic presidential aspirant Bernie Sanders today apologised to his rival Hillary Clinton for inadvertently breaching into her election database to access information about her voters. “Yes, I apologise,” Sanders said replying to a question after he acknowledged that his presidential election campaign “by mistake” intruded into the election data base of Clinton. He said the individual responsible for this has been fired. Both Sanders,74, and Clinton, 68, are seeking be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee for the 2016 elections. The public apology by Sanders to Clinton is expected to bring an end to the bitter fight that had erupted between the two campaigns yesterday after the Democratic Party susbate appeared to do little to change the trajectory of the 2016 Democratic presidential race for the White House. Clinton holds a big lead in national polls over Sanders and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, who are both still searching for breakthrough moments that could shift the dynamic. In a two-hour debate that largely focused on foreign policy, Clinton also defended her advocacy in 2011 for ousting Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi, a position which Republican presidential candidates have criticized. “I am not giving up on

pended his campaign access to its data following the security breach. A day earlier, Sanders had sued his own Democratic party for blocking his campaign from accessing its digital database considered essential to run his electioneering. He had alleged his campaign is losing USD 600,000 in donations each day as it cannot access the party’s data. It alleged that the Sander’s campaign accessed and intruded into the data of Clinton’s campaign. “Not only do I apologise to Secretary Clinton - and I hope we can work together on an independent investigation from day one - I want to apologise to my supporters. This is not the type of campaign that we run,” Sanders said. “If I find anybody else involved in this, they will also be fired,” said the Senator from Vermont.

Libya and no one should,” Clinton said. She also went on the offensive against Sanders, accusing him of hypocrisy for supporting regime change in Libya when he had voted in the Senate for a non-binding resolution that called on Gaddafi to resign and support a peaceful transition to democracy. Clinton also defended her support for a no-fly zone in Syria, which she said would create safe areas to protect people on the ground from Assad’s forces and Islamic State. But when pressed by the debate moderators, she would not say if that meant

Clinton quickly accepted the apology and said she very much appreciate Sander’s comment. “It really is important that we go forward on this. I know that you now have your data back, and that there has been an agreement for an independent inquiry into what did happen,” she said. “Obviously, we were distressed when we learned of it, because we have worked very hard - I said in the beginning of this campaign, we want to reach as many voters as possible, and we have tens of thousands of volunteers doing that, and entering data all the time to keep up with what people are telling us,” Clinton said. “We have resolved your data, we have agreed on an independent inquiry, we should move on. Because I don’t think the American people are all that interested in this,” she said.

she would be willing to shoot down Russian planes, saying “I do not think it would come to that. We are already deconflicting air space.” Clinton zeroed in on Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, at one point accusing him of helping Islamic State militants recruit new members with his vow to ban Muslims from entering the United States. The Democratic contenders clashed over gun control, with O’Malley criticizing both Sanders and Clinton for shifting their stances to be more aggressive in seeking new restrictions in the wake of a recent

string of mass shootings. “ISIL videos, ISIL training videos are telling lone wolves the easiest way to buy a combat assault weapon in America is at a gun show,” said O’Malley, who accused his rivals of “flip-flopping” on the issue. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, Martin,” Sanders said. “Let’s tell the truth, Martin,” Clinton chimed in. Clinton also vowed not to raise taxes on middleclass Americans if elected next November, questioning the affordability of some of Sanders’ proposals such as creation of a singlepayer healthcare system and tuition-free college.

Earth’s recent history may predict global temperatures Defeating IS ‘will not end global jihadism’: Report neW York, DeceMber 20 (ians): Climate change over the last 150 years may estimate future global temperatures, a NASA study has found. According to a new NASA study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, to quantify climate change, researchers need to know the Transient Climate Response (TCR) and Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity (ECS) of Earth. TCR is characteristic of short-term predictions, up to a century out, while ECS looks centuries further into the future, when the entire climate system has reached

equilibrium and temperatures have stabilised. As part of that calculation that depended on the measurements of important climate drivers, such as carbon dioxide, the researchers have relied on simplifying assumptions when accounting for the temperature impacts of climate drivers other than carbon dioxide, such as tiny particles in the atmosphere known as aerosols. But the assumptions made to account for these drivers are too simplistic and result in incorrect estimates of TCR and ECS, said

Gavin Schmidt, a climate scientist and director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York, who is also a coauthor of the study. “The problem with that approach is that it falls way short of capturing the individual regional impacts of each of those variables,” he said. Earlier NASA calculated the temperature impact of each of variables like greenhouse gases, natural and manmade aerosols, ozone concentrations, and land use changes based on historical observations from 1850 to 2005 using a

massive ensemble of computer simulations. However, earlier studies did not account for what amounts to a net cooling effect for parts of the northern hemisphere and the predictions for TCR and ECS were lower than they should have been.“If you’ve got a systematic underestimate of what the greenhouse gas-driven change would be, then you’re systematically underestimating what’s going to happen in the future when greenhouse gases are by far the dominant climate driver,” Schmidt said.

Woman in 30s more likely to have intelligent child LonDon, DeceMber 20 (the inDePenDent): Women who have children in their thirties are more likely than mothers in their twenties and forties to give birth to smarter and healthier babies, new analysis suggests. Data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a long-running programme which tracks the development of 18,000 British children, was used to examine the impact of a mother’s age on their child. Researchers at the London School of Economics established children born to mothers in their thirties achieved the highest cognitive

scores, outperforming those children born to twenty-something-year-old mothers and just higher than mothers in their forties. However, the research also established women who gave birth in their forties did not play with their children as much as younger women - and their offspring were more prone to suffer from obesity. “First-time mothers in their 30s are, for example, likely to be more educated, have higher incomes, are more likely to be in stable relationships, have healthier lifestyles, seek prenatal care earlier and have planned their pregnancies,” LSE re-

searcher Alice Goisis, told the Times. Ms Goisis, heading up the research published in the journal Biodemography and Social Biology, also said older mothers were less likely to smoke, more likely to breastfeed and more likely to read to their children. LSE researchers did emphasise while their study included data from a large study, the number of mothers in their forties (just 53) examined meant more research was needed. The children were examined aged 5. The average age of mothers in the UK has steadily risen from 24.5 in 1980 to 28.1 today.

LonDon, DeceMber 20 (bbc): About a third of rebel groups in Syria - some 100,000 fighters - share the ideology of so-called Islamic State (IS), new research suggests. The Centre on Religion and Geopolitics, linked to former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, said defeating IS militarily “would not end global jihadism”. That would require an “intellectual and theological defeat” of its ideology. The Syrian conflict has killed more than 250,000 people. Millions more have been displaced. A Western coalition has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq for more than a year. In September, Russian forces began air strikes against rebels in Syria, targeting “all terrorists”, including IS. However, Western-backed groups are also reported to have been hit. The Centre on Religion and Geopolitics, an initiative of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, says that Syria now hosts the largest gathering of jihadi groups in modern times. The report, due to be published on Monday, says the greatest danger to the international community

A rescue worker holds an injured boy after what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in Idlib city, Syria on December 20. (REUTERS Photo)

are groups who share the IS ideology but are currently being ignored - they number about 100,000 fighters. Current Western efforts to define “moderate” and “extremist” rebels are bound to fail, because the groups themselves rarely make the distinction, the centre says. Some 60% of Syria’s major rebel groups are Islamist extremists, and many of the groups share the same aims, the study finds. Fewer than a quarter of the rebels surveyed were not

Spaniards vote in unpredictable national election MaDriD, DeceMber 20 (reUters): Spaniards voted on Sunday in a parliamentary election in which newcomer parties are expected to make big gains against the oncedominant conservatives and Socialists, ushering in a new and potentially volatile era of compromise politics. With many people saying they want to shake up a political system they consider corrupt and unable to resolve Spain’s economic woes, the outcome is the most uncertain in decades. About one in three of the 36.5 million eligible voters said they would decide whom to support only at the very last minute. “I would like things to change and for no party to get a majority so none of them will be able to do whatever it wants without listening to others,” said Agustin Aduriz, a 30-yearold engineer who voted in the Tribunal neighbourhood in Madrid. Aduriz said he had voted for upstart anti-austerity party Podemos, though he added he

them kingmaker in post-election talks. That prediction makes any of four outcomes possible either a centre-right pact between the PP and Ciudadanos, a centre-left alliance between the Socialists and Podemos, a coalition between the Socialists and Ciudadanos or a minority administration.

A Catholic nun holds her ballot before casting her vote in Spain’s general election in Ronda, southern Spain on December 20. (REUTERS Photo)

had voted in the past for other parties, on both the left and the right. Since the end of Francisco Franco’s fascist dictatorship and the return to democracy in the 1970s, Spain has always enjoyed stable parliamentary majorities at the national level, with the centre-right People’s Party and the centre-left Socialist Party alternating in power. But a more splintered political landscape could now

complicate efforts to form a government. Opinion polls suggest the ruling conservative People’s Party (PP) of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will win the vote but fall well short of an absolute majority. The Socialists are expected to come second, while antiausterity party Podemos (“We Can”) and a second significant newcomer, the liberal Ciudadanos (“Citizens”), vying for third place which would make

“A BIT OF A MESS” Rajoy said on Wednesday he would consider a crossparty pact to ensure a stable administration over the scheduled four-year term, but all the other main parties have come out against joining the PP in a coalition. That points to a stalemate that analysts agree would probably disrupt an economic reform programme that has helped pull Spain - the fifthlargest economy in the 28-nation EU - out of recession and dented a still sky-high unemployment rate. Ciudadanos and Podemos insiders say both parties are looking beyond Sunday’s vote and aim to keep poaching vot-

ers from the PP and the Socialists, giving them no incentive to agree on a pact unless they win major concessions. The Spanish constitution does not set a specific deadline to form a government after the election. Analysts say negotiations to win enough parliamentary support for a new prime minister to be picked could last many weeks - and maybe even trigger another election. While Rajoy’s government has already passed the 2016 budget and a combination of low interest rates and cheap oil should help underpin economic growth, soothing any market concerns over political instability, prolonged deadlock in Madrid could be used by pro-independence Catalan parties to press their cause. The Catalan issue is expected to quickly move back up to the top of the national political agenda as separatist parties have to decide on a joint government no later than Jan. 9. If they fail to agree, new elections would have to be held in Catalonia within two months.

ideological, and many were willing to fight alongside extremists and would probably accept an Islamist political settlement to the civil war. And even if IS is defeated, dispersed fighters and other extremists could attack targets outside Syria under a rallying cry that “the West destroyed the Caliphate”, the centre warns. The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously endorsed a peace plan for the Syria, including calls for a ceasefire. The resolution sets out

a timetable for formal talks and a unity government within six months. However, the resolution makes no mention of the future role of President Assad. The centre says that unless Syrian President Bashar al-Assad leaves or is removed from office, the war in the country is likely to spread further. Western countries have called for his departure, but Russia and China say he should not be required to leave power as a precondition for peace talks.

Air France flight makes emergency landing, Kenya investigating “device” MoMbasa, kenYa, DeceMber 20 (reUters): Kenya is investigating a suspect device found in a toilet on an Air France flight from Mauritius to Paris with 459 passengers and 14 crew onboard that made an emergency landing in the port city of Mombasa, the Interior Minister said on Sunday. Joseph Nkaissery told reporters at Mombasa’s Moi International Airport that Kenyan authorities were working with French and Mauritian counterparts to determine the nature of the device. He said an undisclosed number of passengers were being questioned. “We are in touch with Mauritius to know how security screening of passengers was done. A few passengers are being interrogated,” he said. The Interior Ministry said on its Twitter feed the device was still being analysed. Police Inspector General Joseph Boinnet said on Twitter the Boeing 777 aircraft was safely evacuated after it landed at the airport at 12.37 a.m. on Sunday

(2137 GMT Saturday). “Bomb experts from the Navy and DCI (Directorate of Criminal Investigations) have retrieved the device and are determining whether the components contained explosives,” Boinnet said. Air France said in a statement that as a precaution, all passengers were evacuated from the aircraft by its emergency slides. “They are (being) taken care of by Mombasa’s airport ground staff and will be accommodated. An investigation is being led by the authorities to identify the source of the threat,” it said. Air France said it would hold a news conference in Paris at 1430 GMT. The airline declined further comment on the investigation. The airline said it was sending another plane to Mombasa to fly passengers to Paris. “This Mombasa-Paris flight is scheduled to leave in the late afternoon,” it said. Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority said flights from Mombasa airport were disrupted due to the emergency landing.

MonDAY 21•12•2015

SPORTS

THE MORUNG EXPRESS

Howard leads Rockets over Clippers

HOUSTON, December 20 (AP): Dwight Howard had 22 points and 14 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets built a huge lead early and rolled to a 107-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Houston led by as many as 26 points in the first half and was up by 12 after three quarters. The Rockets opened the fourth with an 8-2 run to make it 91-73. Marcus Thornton highlighted that spurt when he drove into the lane, evaded Blake Griffin and finished with a layup. Houston pushed the lead to 95-76 with about 71/2 minutes left when Howard blocked a shot by Austin Rivers, and Trevor Ariza grabbed the ball and dished it to Howard, who finished with a dunk on the other end. The starters for both teams sat down a few minutes after that. Griffin’s 22 points led the Clippers, who lost their second straight. James Harden added 18 points with 11 assists, and Ariza scored 17 for the Rockets. The Rockets got things going with a 38-point first quarter in which they outrebounded the Clippers 20-

the lead. The Clippers finally broke the drought on a 3-pointer by Jamal Crawford with about 4 1/2 minutes left in the first. The Clippers trailed by 22 with about 8 minutes left in the second quarter when they started hacking Houston’s big men. They intentionally fouled Howard on five possessions and Capela on three more over the next 31/2 minutes. Howard made five of 10 attempts and Capela two of six. The tactic helped the Clippers go on a 15-7 run to cut the lead to 50-36. Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff took both players out after that, but Howard returned a couple of minutes later and so did the Hack-A-Howard. He made one of two free throws before heading back to the bench. Dwight Howard #12 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 19, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. (Getty Images)

5. Los Angeles intentionally fouled Howard and Clint Capela for a big chunk of the second to cut the lead to 11 by halftime. A 7-2 spurt, with five points from J.J. Redick, early in the third quarter got the Clippers to 61-53. Ariza made a 3-pointer

to extend Houston’s lead, but the Clippers scored the next five points to make it 64-58. Ariza got Houston going again after that, making another 3 to hold off the rally. Chris Paul made a 3-pointer just before the shot clock expired to get

Los Angeles within seven points soon after that, but a third 3 by Ariza started a 10-2 run for Houston that made it 78-63 with about 90 seconds left in the third quarter. The Clippers led by one early before Houston scored 15 straight points

to make it 23-9 with 5 minutes left in the first quarter. Harden scored seven points during that span and made two nifty passes to Donatas Motiejunas to help add four more points. Los Angeles went almost 4 minutes without scoring as Houston built

deficit. Cody Zeller’s layup cut the lead to 99-98 with 2:24 to play. Jared Dudley matched a season high with 19 points and Marcin Gortat had 18 points for Washington. Kemba Walker led Charlotte with 18 points, and Jeremy Lin had 15.

Knicks 107, Bulls 91 Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points and the New York Knicks beat the weary Chicago Bulls for their fourth straight victory. A night after losing a four-overtime game in Chicago, the Bulls started well and had a strong third quarter, but the rest of the night mostly belonged to the Knicks. Arron Afflalo added 18 points for New York, which got back to .500 at 14-14 after winning just 17 games last season. Lance Thomas Wizards 109, Hornets 101 scored 13 off the bench. John Wall had 27 points and 12 assists, Garrett Tem- Thunder 118, Lakers 78 ple scored a career-high 21 Kevin Durant had 22 points and the Washington points and eight rebounds, Wizards beat the Charlotte Enes Kanter had 19 points Hornets. and 14 rebounds and the Wall scored 20 points Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half and then beat the Los Angeles Lakdrilled a key jumper with ers for their eighth straight just over 2 minutes left in home victory. the game after the Hornets Russell Westbrook addnearly erased a 15-point ed 13 points and 11 assists

for his 18th double-double of the season for Oklahoma City. The Thunder won for the fifth straight time against the Lakers. Grizzlies 96, Pacers 84 Marc Gasol had 19 points and 12 rebounds, Matt Barnes finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Indiana Pacers. Mike Conley added 20 points and eight assists as the Grizzlies snapped a two-game skid. Mario Chalmers had 12 points for Memphis and Jeff Green added 11. Paul George led the Pacers with 29 points, despite going 8 of 22 from the field. Monta Ellis scored 13 points and Rodney Stuckey had 11 points. Jordan Hill finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds. The loss snapped Indiana’s three-game winning streak. Memphis shot 45 percent, compared to 39 percent for the Pacers. Neither team shot well from outside the arc, Memphis converting 5 of 19, while the Pacers were 5 of 28 for 18 percent — a season-low for Indiana on 3-point percentage.

Wawrinka inspires Singapore to IPTL final victory Tokyo Olympics might cost $15 bln, Tomic before teaming up SiNgAPOre, Decem6 times orginal estimate: report with Marcelo Melo to seal ber 20 (reUTerS): Stan Wawrinka showed his class in both singles and doubles to lead the Singapore Slammers to victory in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) final in front of a delighted home crowd at the Indoor Stadium on Sunday. Matches in the Asiabased mixed team tennis league are decided by games won in five one-set shootouts over various formats and Switzerland's Wawrinka played brilliantly to ensure the Slammers overcame the Indian Aces 26-21 in a gripping finale. Carlos Moya got the home side off to a perfect start with a 6-4 victory over French shot-maker Fabrice Santoro in the 'Legends Singles', the Spanish veteran coming out on top of five straight breaks of serve after he had opened a 3-2 lead. Swiss starlet Belinda Bencic stretched the advantage by a game after the 18-year-old fought off a gritty challenge from Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova to claim the women's sin-

International Premier Tennis League Final Stan Wawrinka sprays champagne with members of the Singapore Slammers after winning the final. (ReuteRs Photo)

gles, 6-5. The pair put on an absorbing display despite never looking comfortable on serve, with three breaks apiece in the opening 10 games sending the contest into a "shootout" (identical to a tiebreak), which Bencic claimed 7-3 to put Singapore 12-9 ahead. "I was lucky that Char-

lie (Moya) won and did a great job and I could also make a lead," Bencic said in a courtside interview. "It's not much but we will try to keep winning the matches." The Aces, however, struck back in the mixed doubles with their strong Indian pairing of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna

storming to a 6-2 victory over a shell-shocked Dustin Brown and Karolina Pliskova to put the defending champions 15-14 ahead. Wawrinka, the highestranked player in the final, was then called on to turn the tie around and he duly obliged, helping the Slammers reclaim the lead with a 6-3 win over Bernard

the contest. Australia's Tomic matched the world number four shot-for-shot until the double grand slam champion called on his trademark one-handed backhand to forge a break of serve in the sixth game and open a 4-2 lead. He consolidated the break to love and then served out the set two games later to put the Slammers 20-18 ahead going into the deciding men's doubles. Wawrinka had warmed to the task and looked as accomplished as his doubles world number one partner from Brazil, the pair dominating Bopanna and Ivan Dodig 6-3 to set off wild celebrations in the middle of the court. "I just came along at the end and helped the team," Wawrinka said. "The team had done an amazing job in the two weeks leading to the final and I was just really happy to finish it off playing with a great player and friend Marcelo."

An artist's impression of one of the two construction proposals for Japan's new National Stadium in Tokyo. (AFP Photo)

TOkyO, December 20 (AFP): The cost of staging the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will hit nearly $15 billion -- 6 times the original estimate, Japanese media have reported. In a fresh blow to Tokyo's plans for the Games, both national and local taxpayers will have to help foot the huge increase in the bill to stage the sporting event, the Sankei Shimbun said Saturday. The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Tokyo government expect the eventual cost of holding the Games to be 1.8 trillion yen ($14.84 billion), compared with the original estimate of 301.3 billion yen, Kyodo News said on Friday. The revised estimate was made last

month, national broadcaster NHK said. Rising personnel and material cost are largely to blame, the Sankei said. However, the higher cost of building temporary sports facilities, renting existing properties, constructing temporary infrastructure and additional security measures were also cited as factors by local media. The estimated cost compares with the organising committee's expected revenue of 450 billion yen from ticket sales and sponsorship, the Sankei and NHK said. Tokyo's plans for the Olympics have already hit a number of hurdles, including the scrapping of the design for the new Olympic stadium as costs soared. The fiasco saw the sports minister quit in September.

New Zealand close in on win Judgment day dawns for Blatter, Platini in FIFA ethics case

Kane Williamson of New Zealand plays a shot in front of Dinesh Chandimal of Sri Lanka, on day three of their second Test match, at Seddon Park in Hamilton, on December 20. (AFP Photo)

WelliNgTON, December 20 (reUTerS): A hobbling Kane Williamson guided New Zealand to 142 for five at the close of play on the third day of the second test against Sri Lanka in Hamilton, with the hosts needing another 47 runs to seal a 2-0 series sweep. New Zealand won the first test in Dunedin by 122 runs, though Sri Lanka are still in with a chance of pinching a win on Monday to draw the series. Williamson, who was limping noticeably and was seen to have heavy strapping around his right knee, was on 78 while BJ Watling was on nought as they chased the target of 189. Dushmantha Chameera, who took a careerbest 5-47 in New Zealand's

first innings with a fiery display of fast bowling, took four wickets in the second before Suranga Lakmal picked up Mitchell Santner for four just before the close. Chameera gave Sri Lanka a perfect start when he dismissed Tom Latham (four) and Martin Guptill (one) with short-pitched deliveries to reduce the hosts to 11-2. Williamson and Ross Taylor (35) then settled the run chase in a 67-run partnership before Taylor was caught on the boundary for 35 and then captain Brendon McCullum at mid-off for 18 to send some jitters through the New Zealand camp. New Zealand were set the small victory target after a surreal period of play after lunch when the

hosts took the last seven Sri Lankan wickets for 46 runs in 8.1 overs, bowling them out for 133. Tim Southee began the collapse when he took three wickets in 14 deliveries to run through Sri Lanka's middle order after they had resumed on 85 for three. Neil Wagner also grabbed two wickets after lunch before Southee took his fourth when Nuwan Pradeep was caught behind for a three-ball duck to end the innings. The visitors had been comfortable until about 30 minutes before lunch having cruised to 71 without loss. Doug Bracewell then grabbed two wickets in an over, dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne (27) and Udara Jayasundera (0) with short deliveries. Wagner grabbed another wicket in the penultimate over before lunch when he had the dangerous Dinesh Chandimal caught for four at leg gully by Guptill. The hosts then did more damage after the break, with only some counter-attacking blows from Milinda Siriwardana, who blasted three fours and two sixes in his 18-ball innings of 26, padding Sri Lanka's score. All 10 wickets fell for 62 runs in a little over 80 minutes of play.

geNeVA, December 20 (AP): Judgment day for Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini dawns Monday when FIFA's ethics court is expected to ban the scandal-scarred soccer body's most powerful leaders. The FIFA president and his one-time intended successor face being kicked out of the world's favorite sport for at least several years over a $2 million payment Blatter approved for Platini in 2011. Both deny wrongdoing yet a conflict of interest in managing FIFA money - by agreeing the payment without telling executive committee colleagues - is a likely basis for guilty verdicts in rulings due to be published at 0900 GMT. Bans of around 10 years are possible, judging by recent FIFA ethics committee sanctions in cases not involving financial misconduct. Blatter and Platini, through his lawyers, already promised appeals that would need to be processed urgently ahead of FIFA's presidential election on Feb. 26. Both are expected to be defiant if found guilty. Blatter has called an 11 a.m. (1000 GMT) news conference Monday at the former FIFA offices in Zurich, near the current headquarters where he spent eight hours at an ethics hearing Thursday. Platini refused to attend his 10hour hearing on Friday, and gave his lawyers a statement to read to the four ethics judges. ''I am already judged, I am already condemned,'' Platini's statement said, complaining at public

File Photo: Michel Platini and Joseph S. Blatter attend the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Germany and Portugal at Arena Fonte Nova on June 16, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Getty Images)

comments from officials close to the ethics process since the allegation emerged three months ago. Blatter and Platini have strong motivation to fight a ban. Blatter, who turns 80 in March, wants a FIFA swansong by hosting the election congress in Zurich and being made honorary president by the 209 member federations. The 60-year-old Platini wants to clear his name, pass a FIFA integrity check and be declared an official candidate in the election he was previously favored to win. His campaign stalled since being quizzed on Sept. 25 in a Swiss federal investigation of suspected criminal mismanagement at FIFA. The case centers on Platini, as UEFA president and a FIFA vice president in 2011, getting about $2 million as uncontracted salary for working as Blatter's adviser in

1999-2002. The agreement was ''a classic conflict of interest'' between two executive committee members, FIFA audit panel chairman Domenico Scala said in October. In media interviews, Platini and Blatter said the former France captain asked for a salary of 1 million Swiss francs. He had a contract for 300,000 Swiss francs, in line with FIFA's then-wage structure, plus a ''gentleman's agreement'' to get the rest later. Swiss law obliged FIFA only to pay the deferred money within five years. Platini was paid in February 2011, just before Blatter began campaigning for re-election against Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar. Platini's UEFA urged its members weeks before the June 2011 poll to back Blatter, who was elected unopposed when Bin Hammam was

implicated in bribery. Few FIFA officials knew of the Platini payment which emerged during a wider Swiss probe of the governing body's business affairs, including suspected money laundering in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests. Switzerland's attorney general opened criminal proceedings against Blatter for the suspected ''disloyal payment'' of FIFA money to Platini and selling undervalued World Cup TV rights for the Caribbean. Platini's status in the criminal case is ''between a witness and an accused person,'' attorney general Michael Lauber said in October. On Monday, Blatter could get a longer ban than Platini if his case involves falsifying FIFA accounts. The debt to Platini was not booked in financial reports from 2002-10. In recent ethics cases where financial misconduct was not proven, judges imposed a six-year ban on FIFA honorary vice president Chung Mong-joon of South Korea and seven years for Harold Mayne-Nicholls of Chile, who led FIFA's technical inspections of the 2018-2022 bids. Any sanctions imposed Monday can be challenged at the FIFA appeals committee and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. FIFA rules state a list of candidates must be finalized one month before the election in Zurich. Blatter has suggested he could pursue a lengthier appeal to Switzerland's highest court, the federal tribunal, which can intervene if legal process was abused.

Monday 21•12•2015

‘MonICa’ and ‘Chandler’ of ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’ turn lovers in real-life

20-year-old man landed in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital after he spilled out the ending of the movie "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" at a US theatre, a media report said. The man, Raymond Chatfield, walked out of a premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" on Thursday night and shouted out a major spoiler in front of at least 100 people waiting in the lobby for the next show, thegoodlordabove.com reported on Friday. "I was waiting in line to see the evening show. Then this kid walks past the line, shouts out the ending and starts laughing. He totally ruined the movie for everyone," a witness said. Three men, who were waiting in the lobby, donning suits of Star Wars characters, assaulted and critically injured the man. He was later admitted in the ICU in Bakersfield city, California. "I saw it all. This guy shouts out the spoiler right? Within 15 seconds, he was on the ground, getting beat up by three men," another witness said. "At first, the crowd was cheering the assaulters, and I think that made it worse. They beat him up for five minutes, kicking and punching him in the gut," the witness added. Police did not arrest the assaulters and allowed them to watch the movie as planned. "We view this as justifiable assault," a police officer said.

Man lands in ICU for 'spoiling' Star Wars movie

Marriage won't define akShay kUMar demanded Rs 25 my relationship with Upen crore from Rajinikanth for Robot 2? Patel: Karishma Tanna

fter the grand success of Robot, fans have been waiting with bated breath to know when the sequel to this movie will arrive. It was revealed a few days ago that actor Akshay Kumar will be the villain opposite Rajinikanth in Robot 2 and if media reports are to be believed, he demanded a whooping Rs 25 crore for it. Superstar Rajinikanth won hearts with his 2010 movie Robot. The big bud-

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V actress Karishma Tanna is "very happy" in her committed relationship with Upen Patel but she says the couple is not in a rush to tie the knot. The duo began dating last year on the season eight of celebrity reality show "Bigg Boss". The couple got engaged earlier this year when Upen proposed to the actress on dance show 'Nach Baliye 7', where they were participants. "Right now, we are working very hard... Marriage is not running away. It is not the ultimate thing for us, it is not like marriage will define our relationship. We are in a committed relationship and in a happy space. Let's see what future holds for us... One also needs to find enough time to get married as it is not a single-day thing," Karishma told PTI. The couple are currently seen on 'Love School', a relationship school for reallife couples, which works towards healing damaged and troubled relationships. The show comprises a syllabus including tasks, challenges and tests to ensure progress and sustenance of relationships. It enables

couples to give a fresh start to their strained relationships with advice from "love gurus" Karishma and Upen. "The concept of the show attracted me to it. Young couples go through a lot of problems, which we have seen in the past, so we can advise them and guide them on where they are going wrong and then eventually graduate them from the love school," Karishma said. The actress added she and Upen also have their own "couple issues" because they are "very different" individuals but they manage to find a common ground as the duo understands each other. "I think we are a part of the show because we are good in our respective relationships with families and friends. We have our ups and downs and our share of arguments because we are strongly opinionated people and have difference of opinions. "Sometimes, we agree to disagree. We have difference of opinion on the show as well. We know how to strike a balance and we would be advising the couples the same," she said.

get movie was high on VFX, technology and gave something which audiences had never seen before. For those excited fans, the news that Rajini will soon be starting shooting for the movie, was a grand news. There had been many speculations about the role of the antagonist, starting from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Hrithik Roshan but then Khiladi Kumar bagged the role. Given the scale of the project, a question

opular celebrity talk show ‘Comedy Nights With Kapil’ is going off air after three years of some impressive performances by Kapil Sharma and his team. The popular comedian Kapil Sharma gained massive popularity through his celebrity talk show The show became India's highest rated scripted TV show. At CNN-IBN Indian of the Year awards, Sharma was awarded the Entertainer of the Year award for 2013. The comedy show has become one of the favourite shows amongst the audience. But it seems that this enter-

of Akshay’s remuneration comes to mind. And this news of Akshay demanding such a huge amount is definitely enough to shock you. The movie is being touted to be the highest budgeted film having one around Rs 250 crores. It seems Thalaivaa Rajini is ready to spend money like water to ensure his movie surpasses all the set standards. The movie was earlier called Robot 2 but now it is renamed to Robot 2.0.

tainment won’t last for long as ‘Comedy Nights With Kapil’ is going off air. Unfortunately, it’s true. The comedy show is coming to an end and the worst is that the show is not ending on a good note as the show host Kapil Sharma is not happy with Colors. The last episode of the show will be aired on January 17, 2016. Reportedly, the show makers of ‘Comedy Nights With Kapil’ feel that their show is being sidelined and the attention has been driven to ‘Comedy Nights Bachao’. According to the media reports, a source of ‘Comedy Nights With Kapil’ stated that how they were misin-

here is a big news for all the diehard fans of the famous TV show ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’ and it is that ‘Monica’ and ‘Chandler’, played by actors Courteney Cox and Matthew Perry, are dating in real life. The duo that played a couple on the show is apparently seeing each other after having a fall out with their respective lovers. Cox ended her engagement with Snow Patrol’s member Johnny McDaid early this month whereas Perry had split from actress Lizzy Caplan in 2012. Star Magazine claims that Cox rushed into the arms of her former co-star following her breakup. "It's no surprise that Matthew was one of the first people Courteney called when she ended the engagement. They've leaned on each other before, during her infertility struggle and his battle with addiction,” a source told the magazine. Also, earlier this year, both the stars were spotted kissing in public. The insider claimed that the duo is planning to ‘take it slow’ and don't wish to make

their relationship public anytime soon. However, Gossip Cop has stated that the story is not true. Well, the fans will be delighted to see their one of the favourite on-screen couple turn into a real-life couple. It has been a decade since ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’ went off air but that hasn’t been able to affect the viewer-

ship of the much-loved comedy show. The fans continue to watch it on a regular basis even today. Courteney and Matthew played the characters of friends-turned-lovers ‘Monica’ and ‘Chandler’ in the series. The couple was called ‘Mondler’ by fans and received immense love from the audiences.

Kylie Jenner pictures crashes Norway’s firm website in 30 seconds

Norwegian firm`s website crashed within 30 seconds of people logging in to see images of Kylie Jenner and her mom, Kris Jenner dressed in one piece outfits. The 18 year old model, on Thursday posted pics with her `sweetest mom` in the super comfy look according to the reports of E!Online. `Keeping up with the Kardhasian` star , with her mommy Kris engrossed 90 million online followers which has lot more juice to add than a `frenzy one piece.` According to the sources, Company staffers had to be pulled out of bed to get the website back online.

formed about the new show, instead of titling it Roast, as planned, it was titled Comedy Nights Bachao and also the stars and gags being featured on the show are more than often same, which takes away the limelight from Kapil’s show. Infact, during a media event, Kapil Sharma himself confirmed the news saying, . “Yes, it’s true. We told them we would go off air in December, but since they didn’t have a replacement ready, they requested us to continue till January 17. We started on a good note and put in immense hard work to maintain the quality”.

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Messi, Suarez fire Barca to third Club World Cup title

Yokohama, December 20 (aFP): Lionel Messi marked his return from illness with a brilliant goal as Barcelona beat Argentina's River Plate 3-0 to capture a record third Club World Cup on Sunday. The Spanish giants welcomed back Messi after a bout of kidney stones and the mercurial Argentine scored with a clinical finish on 36 minutes, before a lethal Luis Suarez double destroyed River's hopes. "We came here to win the title and it was important to get the job done," said Suarez, who picked up the player of the tournament and golden boot award after finishing with five goals. "We stayed calm and played our game until Leo scored the first goal. More than my goals, it was just important to get our hands on the trophy." Neymar, himself returning to the side after a groin strain, was instrumental in Barcelona's opener, climbing to knock down a Dani Alves cross for Messi to steer past River goalkeeper C M Y K

Marcelo Barovero with a deft flick of his left boot. Suarez, who scored a hat-trick in Barca's 3-0 semi-final win over Guangzhou Evergrande, scored a second with a fierce low drive four minutes into the second half. The former Liverpool striker grabbed his second of the night when he dispatched a thumping header past Barovero after a pinpoint cross from Neymar. River Plate's starting eleven cost a total of some six million dollars, while Barcelona paid $85 million for Suarez alone, and the gulf in class showed. The Catalans, who had already collected the Champions League, Spain's La Liga, the Copa del Rey and European Super Cup this year, tore River to shreds in the second half. Neymar also came close to scoring with a curling effort that shaved the bar. Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was a spectator for much of the game on a cold night but made an acrobatic save from River substitute Gonzalo Martinez

Hiroshima wins bronze

Barcelona celebrate after capping the year with their fifth major trophy of 2015. Photograph: Toru Hanai/Reuters

seven minutes from time to deny the South Americans a consolation goal. Messi, who forced a smart save from Barovero in the early skirmishes and could himself have

finished with a hat-trick, became the first player to score in three finals after leading Barca to victory in 2009 and 2011. "Messi and Neymar wanted to play in the final,

no matter what," said Suarez. "It shows the sacrifice that there is in the group that they did everything to play." The Uruguayan warned that Barca were still hungry for more success.

"After a competition like this the majority of teams have a dip," he said. "But we have to avoid that and we have the desire to keep winning titles and be the best team in the world."

razilian substitute Douglas scored a late double as Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima stunned Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande 2-1 to finish third at the Club World Cup on Sunday. Former Spurs midfielder Paulinho headed the Chinese in front after just four minutes in Yokohama, celebrating by racing to the bench to hold up the shirt of teammate Zou Zheng, who broke his leg in the 3-0 semi-final defeat by Barcelona. But Douglas stooped to nod home a deserved equaliser for the Japanese champions in the 70th minute after some poor defending. He then headed in the winner seven minutes from time to complete a dramatic turnaround. "We have played six matches in the past two weeks but when the going got tough this team is very resilient," said Hiroshima manager Hajime Moriyasu, whose side captured a third JLeague crown earlier this month. Luiz Felipe Scolari's Evergrande had been overwhelming favourites to become the first Asian representatives to win the bronze medal but they wilted badly after a strong start. "Physically and technically Hiroshima deserved to win," said former Brazil coach Scolari. "We looked a tired team. Our thoughts go to poor Zou, who had surgery in Japan on his leg and we hope to have him back with us as soon as possible." Pint-sized striker Hisato Sato was Hiroshima's most potent attacker in the first half but Evergrande's towering goalkeeper Li Shuai brilliantly thwarted the J-League's joint record goal scorer on three occasions. Evergrande defender Zhang Linpeng saw a shot deflected on to the post, while Mei Feng cleared superbly off the line from Takuya Marutani at the other end in a see-saw game which really caught fire when Douglas came off the bench. (Agence France-Presse)

Chennaiyin win a humdinger to emerge ISL champs

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Goa, December 20 (IaNs): Chennaiyin FC scored twice in the 90th minute to snatch a pulsating 3-2 victory over FC Goa to win the second edition of the India Super League (ISL) here on Friday. Colombian striker John Stiven Mendoza compensated for his missed penalty to score in the 90th minute and claim the victory in a fluctuating contest at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. He also became the highest goal-scorer of the eight-team football tournament with 12 goals. The match was goalless at halftime, but sprang into life after the break when

Bruno Pelissari (54th minute) gave the visitors the lead with a penalty. Thongkhosiem Haokip (58th) and Joffre Mateu (88th) made it 2-1 for Goa. But an own goal in the 90th minute from goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani turned the tide and an opportunistic goal from Mendoza seconds later saw Chennaiyin claim the thrilling victory. Chennaiyin's offensive play revolved around Mendoza just as Goa's was dependant on Leo Moura. Goa's banking on the Brazilian deepened further when Dudu Omagbemi had to be substituted on

eighth minutes after suffering a concussion following a clash of heads during an aerial tussle. Brazilian midfielder Jonatan Lucca replaced the Nigerian scorer. Both teams were nervous and physical in their approach, aiming to wrestle the initiative. Mispasses were frequent and the action failed to hit any rhythm despite some dangerous pacy moves. The match threatened to be a battle of attrition with both sides preferring to wait for the other to commit mistakes. Goa blinked first in the struggle when defender Pronay Halder's needless clumsy challenge

brought down Mendoza to concede a penalty in the 54th. Pelissari embodied the prevailing nervousness when his initial penalty kick was blocked by goalkeeper Kattimani but couldn't stop him from bundling in the rebound. With the home side trailing, the pace of the action was expected to pick up a notch. It duly happened and Goa equalised four minutes later. Second-half Substitute Thongkhosiem Haokip, in for Moura, tapped in from close range at the far post after creditably following right winger Romeo

Fernandes' low centre. The match began to open up with chances being created and wasted in equal measure by both sides. Mendoza was guilty of squandering the most clear-cut opportunity a minute after the equaliser. He won his team's second penalty after being tumbled over by Kattimani in an one-on-one situation. But his resultant penalty was blocked by an agile Kattimani, diving to his left. A frustrated Materazzi injected Elano in the mix on 68th to sharpen his bungling attack. Goa gained in confidence after the saved penalty and were egged on by a vociferous home support. Joffre Mateu sent the expectant crowd into a frenzy when he curled a dipping left-footed free-kick into the corner of the net three minutes from regulation time. It seemed it was enough for Goa to claim victory but were left stunned when Kattimani punched his ball into his own net while trying to evade an aerial challenge from Mendoza. The home side was still to come to terms with the late shock when Mendoza delivered a hammer blow to their ambitions, capitalising on the flinching concentration of the Goa defenders. He received a through ball and utilised his raw pace to expertly fool his marker before slotting it past an onrushing Kattimani to drive a dagger into the heart of Goa.

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The first ever Winter Basketball Tournament was organised by Mon Dist Basketball Association on December 10 and 11. Team Thunder won the tournament while Angjong Mission High School emerged runners-up.

Liverpool beaten by buoyant Watford

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Ighalo charges in with a header to score Watford’s third. Reuters

LoNDoN, December 20 (reuters): Odion Ighalo was on the mark twice as a buoyant Watford won 3-0 at home to Liverpool on Sunday to consolidate seventh position in the Premier League, only one point behind the top four. It was a bad blow for Juergen Klopp's side, who

would have overtaken them with a win but remained ninth, having taken only one point from three games. Nathan Ake the Dutch Under-21 international on loan from Chelsea, scored in only the third minute after a howler from Hungarian goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, who was deputis-

ing for the injured Simon Mignolet. Bogdan was soon beaten again on an unhappy league debut when Watford captain Troy Deeney sent leading scorer Ighalo away to net for the fourth game in succession. The Nigerian made it 12 for the season five minutes from time.

Ancelotti to replace Guardiola at Bayern Munich at season end

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berLIN, December 20 (reuters): Bayern Munich and coach Pep Guardiola will part ways after three seasons at the end of the current campaign and Italian Champions League-winning coach Carlo Ancelotti will replace the Spaniard, club Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Sunday. "We are thankful to Guardiola for all he gave our club and hope to celebrate more success in the current season," Rummenigge said in a statement, adding Ancelotti has signed a three-year deal. Guardiola's departure was widely expected with several top Premier League clubs reportedly interested in the 44-year-old former Barcelona coach, who had won 14 titles in four years at the Spanish club. The Spaniard took over after Bayern's 2012-13 treble-winning season and consolidated their domestic dominance with back-to-back league

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Pep Guardiola

Carlo Ancelotti

titles and a German Cup in his first two seasons in charge. But he has yet to lead them to the Champions League title with Bayern losing at the semi-final stage on their previous two attempts. Bayern are top of the league this season and through to the Champions League knockout stage and can still win the treble.

The 56-year-old Ancelotti is a three-time Champions League winner and has also won a string of domestic titles with AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris St Germain, Juventus and Real Madrid, his most recent appointment. "I am very honoured that I will be the coach of the big FC Bayern Munich from next season," Ancelotti said.

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