C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
Dimapur VOL. IX ISSUE 333
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
Taiwan and Hong Kong a challenge for Xi
NTFTF appeals for allocation and enhancement of wagons
[ PAGE 08]
[ PAGE 09]
[ PAGE 06]
[ PAGE 2]
Syria and Ebola failures highlight UN shortcomings
Petrol, diesel excise duty hiked; prices unchanged
C M Y K
–George Bernard Shaw
Delhi Dynamos, Atletico de Kolkata play out goalless draw [ PAGE 12]
ACAUT: Close the chapter of conflict, death, alienation and militarisation
If our government cares so wonderfully for us why are we out here trying to thaw our frozen butts?
mONrOVIA, DEcEmbEr 2 (AP): The international response to Ebola is still too slow and piecemeal, Doctors Without Borders warned Tuesday, as officials said the disease is crippling crippled the economies of the three West African countries hardest hit. Ebola has infected nearly 17,000 people, of which about 6,000 have died, according to the World Health Organization. The vast majority of infections are in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, poor countries that have been left to handle the crisis without sufficient help, said the medical aid group. “Foreign governments have focused primarily on financing or building Ebola case management structures, leaving staffing them up to national authorities, local health care staff and NGOs (nongovernment organizations) which do not have the expertise required to do so,” said the group, which is a primary provider of treatment in the outbreak, said in a statement Tuesday. It reiterated its call for countries with biologicaldisaster response teams to deploy them.
”
In Bhopal, two women spark hope for disaster’s disabled children
By Sandemo Ngullie
Doctors Without Borders: Ebola response too slow
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 12 pages Rs. 4
Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance
reflections
NEW DELHI, DEcEmbEr 2 (PTI): Government on Tuesday raised excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 2.25 and Rs 1 a litre respectively, but consumers will be spared of price hike. The move, which comes amid declining prices of crude oil in the international market, will boost government revenue and help it contain the fiscal deficit. The revised excise duty on petrol and diesel came into effect from Tuesday, official sources said. The move will have no impact on retail prices of petrol and diesel, they said. This is the second hike in excise duty in three weeks. In view of the declining prices of crude, oil marketing companies had on Monday cut petrol price by 91 paise a litre, the seventh reduction since August, and diesel by 84 paise per litre, the third straight cut. The hike in excise duty is expected to yield an additional Rs 4,000 core in the remaining part of the current fiscal. The addition from the earlier increase is expected to be Rs 6,000 crore. The hike in excise duty will help government mop taxes as it was facing challenges on the indirect tax front on account of slowdown in economic activities.
C M Y K
A woman cries standing beside the burnt doors of St. Sebastian’s Church after a fire destroyed the church on Monday, in New Delhi, Tuesday, December 2. While the cause of the fire is not known, the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese said Tuesday that “mischief” was suspected. Christians account for about 2.5 percent of the country’s 1.2 billion people and largely coexist peacefully. However, the issue of conversions by Christian missionaries has sporadically provoked violence by Hindus. (AP Photo)
Govt agrees to meet Editors DImAPur, DEcEmbEr 2 (mExN): Editors of the six Nagaland based newspapers have welcomed the Government of Nagaland’s decision to meet in relation to the memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister of Nagaland. In response to the Government’s decision, the six Editors and Newspapers will keep in ‘abeyance’ their decision to withhold all Government news and advertisements. This ‘abeyance,’ stated a press release from the Editors today, comes into ‘full effect’ from December 3.
Taking into account that the Government circular, which was received on the evening of December 2, the Editors have suggested that “the date, time and place for the proposed meeting be mutually decided by the Secretary (IPR) and the Editors of the six newspapers at the convenience of all concerned.” The Editors maintained that “We reserve the right to take a final decision based on the outcome of the meeting with the Government of Nagaland.”
DImAPur, DEcEmbEr 2 (mExN): The ACAUT Nagaland has urged the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to bring about a “true and permanent” settlement to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue, and to resolve the 67 years old conflict “once and for all.” In a memorandum to the PM, ACAUT Nagaland has asked him to consider the “consequences of any settlement minus ‘One Government One Tax.’” “In the absence of unity amongst the Naga Political Groups (NPGs), however well-meaning the Government of India (GoI) may be, it would counterproductively perpetuate another round of Civil War within Nagaland, with all the sidelined Factions predictably refusing to endorse GoI’s agreement with only one Faction,” stated the memorandum signed by various representatives of ACAUT Nagaland. The body placed the “onus of salvaging a unity amongst the NPGs before seeking a solution” on the NSCN (IM). It also stated that the PM should “take into confidence all the stake holders whose lives will invariably be affected by whatever settlement arrived at.” Thus, ACAUT Nagaland noted as “pertinent” that the views of Naga civil society represented by the Village Councils are sought so that “conclusion of any settlement does not spawn a post-settlement conflict.” “The Naga villages have since time immemorial wielded real authority and it is imperative that the opinions of Naga Village
• Urges PM for ‘true and permanent’ settlement to Indo-Naga issue • Says unabated taxation is the cause of factionalism and factionalism the cause of unabated taxation • Asserts that ‘as long as the armed groups do not reconcile, there shall be no permanent solution’
Councils and Chiefs are sought and accommodated for any well-meaning settlement.” Highlighting that “Over the decades successive Indian governments have failed to resolve this most protracted issue either due to lack of consensus, political will or simply insincerity,” the memorandum stated that the Naga people have “borne the consequences of this inability on the part of the Indian Government to resolve the issue in one form or the other, the latest being the burning issue of unabated taxation being levied by all the 8 existing factions.” ACAUT Nagaland contended that almost two decades of ceasefire between the GoI and the NPGs have only “worsened the situation” in Naga society in terms of “random unabated taxations, worsening law and order situation, increased corruption, factional animosity leading to frequent infightings and killings and absence of infrastructural development.” Unabated taxation is the cause of factionalism and factionalism the cause of unabated taxation, it stated. Under the circumstances, in 2008, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) initiated the cry for Unity and Reconciliation among the warring factions. However, after 6 years of ‘tireless effort’
by the FNR, “the NPGs seem to have abandoned the idea of reconciliation,” following which, the ‘One Government One Tax’ slogan was adopted by the ACAUT. “As long as the armed groups do not reconcile, there shall be no permanent solution to the decades old Naga problem. And as long as there is no solution, there will be no peace in the land,” stated the memorandum. Moreover, the ACAUT Nagaland raised the issue of rampant corruption in the State of Nagaland. “It is the stand of ACAUT Nagaland that the Central Government should strictly monitor the utilisation of funds given by the Centre in the form of economic packages and developmental projects.” Stating that “siphoning of funds has been the rule these past several decades keeping the State of Nagaland in perpetual backwardness,” the memorandum appealed to the GoI to “direct and influence the Government of Nagaland to institute a Lok Ayukta forthwith.” “This is the only possible relief that the people of Nagaland can look forward to as an answer to their crippled lives.” Noting development issues, ACAUT Nagaland pointed out that since the formation of Nagaland State, the GoI undertook
one of the “most ambitious and people oriented” development project of constructing two laning roads to connect four district and important towns of Nagaland under Special Accelerated Road Development Programme on North-East (SADP-NE) connecting 1. Longleng-Changtonya 2.Mon-Tamulu-Merangkong 3.Phek-Pfutsero 4. Zunheboto-Chekhabama with the total sanctioned amount of Rs. 1296 crores. An RTI has revealed that only 20.18% of the work has been completed that was to be done by February 2014. A revised estimate of the project was escalated by 200%. “On the basis of all the evidences and discrepancies ACAUT demands that since the project is being implemented and monitored by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through NH and not by the state government the Government of India should immediately institute a CBI inquiry to go into the depth of whole scam,” stated the memorandum. In conclusion, ACAUT Nagaland urged the Prime Minister of India to “close the chapter of conflict, death, alienation and militarisation in this part of India by concretising a permanent settlement with the Naga people.” “A new chapter of peace, prosperity and development should be ushered in and it will come from the mineral, human resources and bio-diversity rich North-East with trade access to South and East Asian countries turning India into the world’s foremost power,” it stated.
‘Modi has done his homework well’ Cong dismayed by Modi’s Nagaland reacts to Prime Minister’s speech on Dec 1 Morung Express News Dimapur | December 2
“Come, let us together build a new, resurgent, stronger and more prosperous India, as well as our Nagaland,” cooed Narendra Modi on his maiden visit to Nagaland. Cleverly manoeuvring around complex political issues, and making a detour from the practice of announcing economic packages followed by his predecessors, this Prime Minister seemed to have done his homework well before embarking on his North East tour. Refraining from uttering a single political message, he cajoled the Nagas by carefully highlighting their strengths and showing his concern. Giving his reaction to the Modi’s speech, veteran peace activist Niketu Iralu stated, “Modi has done his homework well. He studied the problem of previous governments well and made a careful assessment. He was sensitive to the issues because he knows our weaknesses well instead of only us knowing our weaknesses. His message clearly seems to be, I want to meet your needs.” “We must learn to appreciate what we have achieved instead of blaming whatever we have failed to achieve,” Iralu added K. Yingphe Konyak, a lawyer with the United Nations Development Programme, echoed the observation. “An update on Indo-Naga political dialogue would have been good, but it seems little unreal for him to conclude or commit, lest he end
up with no outcome after talking so much.” According to Dr. Rosemary Dzuvichu, advisor to Naga Mothers’ Association and faculty at Nagaland University, “He is probably our first State guest who hasn’t fallen for the feather dances and the songs but wants the State to revisit its achievements and failures which is encouraging.” As for the ongoing peace talks, “I think he expects mass based organisations to have their say too which is important for women, and gender justice, in any political solution,” she said. Personally I felt he avoided mentioning the political issue because as an outsider, he did not want to interfere in a ‘family feud’ and polarise the issue, maintained Yanpvuo Kikon, youth activist and founder of The Naga Blog. “We have to get our house in order first.” However, some argue his message had enough political connotation tacitly covered in euphemism. “The political issue is there but cunningly disguised. By not mentioning it, he made a statement that the Naga political issue is not a threat to national security at the moment,” argued Tiainla Medem, Assistant Professor of English at Delhi University. The more worrying threat is the promise of incorporation and inclusion of our youth into the police or armed forces, she added posing, “Are we good only to police or be policed?” Neingulo Krome, Secretary General of the Naga Peoples’ Movements for Human Rights
(NPMHR), said, “He was smart and must be well informed about the political issue, and probably didn’t want to create unnecessary speculation by announcing something grandiose.” Reacting to his economic initiative, Neichute Doulo, CEO of Entrepreneurs Associates, said, “The visit of the PM has set the right tone for future dialogue and charted the path of economic opportunities. The PM’s sharing on the inherent and innate potentials through Natural Economic Zones reiterates the reality that our future lies in our backyard and not in the corridors of Delhi.” Lack of a political statement from him, noted Doulo, reflected his conviction that it is better to take concrete and deliverable decisions rather than give flashing statements on a vexed and complex issue. Seriously, what were we expecting? wondered Tiainla. “The nation knows Modi’s position on corruption and he is not a fool to give Nagas another chance at it. His pat on the back of chief minister of Tripura as ‘the most honest CM in India’ shows him leaving aside ideological differences.” Dr. Asangba Tzudir, while lauding the challenge made by Modi to tap natural resources towards economic resurgence, argued that it should not come at the exploitation and infringement of the inalienable rights of the Nagas. Nagas need long term clear-cut plans or policies and “not some hand to mouth short term policy.”
Targeting common development, and not individual, was the smartest decision because he is targeting mass development and upliftment, said K. Yingphe Konyak. Nagaland’s potential was seen by a first timer, then why is it overlooked by local leaders, asked Konyak. There were misses too. “He was ill informed on women’s issues going by his public speech on gender equality of the Nagas. A misconception created by the State to outsiders,” maintained Dr. Dzuvichu. The reality, however, is gender based violence, discrimination, economic disparity and poverty, and little visibility of women in decision making, she added. “Was he making such a serious conclusion based on visibility of well dressed women participants of the festival?” Overall, his announcement was about “capacity building,” said Yanpvuo Kikon, giving a clear message to the Nagas that you have to stand on your own feet, concluded Kikon. Generally, however, his message was well received. Complimenting Nagas on good command over English and to enhance it further to our advantages was a clear departure from his earlier rhetoric (on Hindi), noted Iralu. Again, his utterance of Kuknalim thrice holds great significance, concluded Iralu, implying that New Delhi is telling Naga political groups that they will directly interact with the people. That, “My people will bring Kuknalim to you.”
‘silence on peace process’ KOHImA, DEcEmbEr 2 (mExN): The Nagaland Congress has expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the Naga peace process during his two-day visit to the State. In a statement, Congress Lok Sabha candidate and former president of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), K V Pusa questioned the motive of Modi’s silence, stating it was in “total disregard” to the protracted Naga political issue. The Congress leader asserted it was the desire of Naga people to have an early solution to the problem, but “the silence of Prime Minister has reflected the actual motive of the BJP led NDA government at the centre.” “At a time when Naga people are expecting something from the visiting Prime Minister on resolution of Naga political issue, the way Modi had remained silent speaks volumes of the attitude of the BJP led NDA government,” Pusa said. He demanded that an ‘acceptable and honourable’ solution be hammered out at the earliest for all sections of people, stressing that 17 years of negotiation was too long. The former Congress president was also dismayed as Prime Minister Modi had not met Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah- leaders of National Socialist Council of Nagalim- despite their request to meet him. He said refusing to meet Naga leaders would
be taken as “take no notice of Naga political issue.” He questioned why Modi does not want to meet the two Naga leaders when successive Prime Ministers have met them several times. He underlined it was imperative to meet and resolve, understand each other, and give impetus to the peace process. “He should not belittle our political issues.” Pusa further said the Naga political issue was on top of the people’s expectation, but Modi had “deliberately ignored” the issue. He maintained there was ‘no sincerity and commitment’ by BJP to resolve the issue. Pusa also regretted that Modi did not announce any special package for the State when “people are longing for progress and development.” Stating that Nagaland needs special attention “as it was born out of a political agreement,” he added that Nagaland should not be equated with other States in the region. He noted that the Prime Minister’s development package for the North East was nothing new, but already programmed by the UPA government. Meanwhile, the Congress leader urged the Centre to bring those responsible for setting fire to a Church in Delhi on December 1. He asked the Centre to arrest the accused to show secular credentials of the BJP led NDA government.
C M Y K