C M Y K
www.morungexpress.com
The Morung Express
Dimapur VOL. X ISSUE 38
“
www.morungexpress.com
Tuesday, February 10, 2015 12 pages Rs. 4
We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us Expelled from JD-U, Manjhi seeks floor test; Nitish stakes claim
”
Two Indians win the prestigious Grammy Awards
Need for community participation in health sector [ PAGE 2]
25 people killed in Egyptian soccer match riot
[ PAGE 11]
[ PAGE 9]
[ PAGE 12]
[ PAGE 8]
C M Y K
Obama’s Ukraine policy at crossroads
–Joseph Campbell
Myanmar: Ta’ang rebels struggling for an education resist ceasefire with govt
In this file photo, Ta’ang National Liberation army troops march in Mar Wong Village, northern Shan state during a celebration marking the 52nd anniversary of their insurrection against successive Myanmar governments. The area is controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation army (TNLA), an ethnic insurgency that claims to have 4,000 troops and is refusing to sign a nationwide ceasefire citing the lack of ethnic minority aspirations in dialogues. (AP Photo)
MAR WONG VILLAGE, FEbRuARy 9 (AP): It’s one of Myanmar’s smallest ethnic insurgencies, just a few thousand fighters scattered between isolated villages in the mistshrouded mountains of northern Shan state. But as President Thein Sein struggles to reach a nationwide peace agreement by the year’s end, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army has turned into one of his biggest obstacles. The rebels have so far refused to negotiate the terms of a ceasefire, citing the lack of discussion about their aspirations, such as greater control over natural resources for the half-million
reflections
By Sandemo Ngullie
ethnic Ta’ang people. When they last agreed to hand over weapons in exchange for a “self-administered zone,” nearly a decade ago, they saw little or no real benefits for their people. “In fact,” said Main Aik Kyo, a rebel army spokesman, “things only got worse.” Soldiers and pro-government militias continued to harass local residents, he and others say. They also stepped up involvement in the illegal narcotics trade in the opium-growing region. The widespread availability of drugs has led to alarming addiction rates. One village head said half of all Ta’ang men are now hooked on
drugs, some as young as 13. Myanmar stunned the world by opening politically and economically in 2011 following elections that most rights groups say were neither free nor fair. Though the new president started steering the country from a half-century of dictatorship toward democracy, early muchlauded reforms have since either stalled or started rolling back. That’s upped the stakes of getting ceasefire deals with all 17 ethnic armies, one of Thein Sein’s biggest pledges. Many ethnic armies have been fighting since the country gained independence from the
British in 1948, and experts say continued civil unrest is slowing development in one of the region’s poorest countries. The TNLA, one of four rebel groups still holding out, claims to have 4,000 troops. Though those estimates are believed to be inflated, a celebration last month in the isolated village of Mar Wong, nestled deep in the jungle-clad mountains, showed that support among villagers is as strong as ever. Hundreds turned out, making long, treacherous journeys along steep, windy roads. Huddling beneath blankets to protect themselves from icy winds,
they cheered as 650 troops goose-stepped with guns or while waving green and red flags. “We have to keep fighting for our freedom, for our political rights,” said Thar Phone Kyaw, the TNLA general secretary, adding no ceasefire agreement will be signed without assurances they will get the “federal union” promised to them by Myanmar’s independence leader Gen. Aung San more than 60 years ago. That would give them greater control over their natural resources, including a say in issues surrounding an oil pipeline to China that has displaced people and destroyed livelihoods. It would also allow them to control their own troops’ movement and help end the spiraling scourge of drugs. Ta’ang men and women in traditional attire applauded and took pictures with their smart phones as the rebels set fire to a huge haul of opium, heroin and methamphetamine tablets. Children and novice Buddhist monks covered their noses and mouths as the dark smoke rose from pile. The rebels also displayed weapons and ammunition allegedly confiscated from Myanmar soldiers during recent confrontations. Though the TNLA only started fighting again four years ago, the grievances of the Ta’ang date back to the early 1960s, when Gen. Ne Win seized power in a bloody coup, imposing policies that actively promoted the Bamar, or Burman, ethnic majority to position of power.
A view of Washelo village in Meluri sub division under Phek district.
Lipichem Washelo/Meluri | February 9
Overlooking the Shilloi Lake is a scenic hamlet surrounded by beautiful mineral rich mountains, which feed the rumbling brook and crystal springs, providing clear and pure water. The name of the village - Washelo – named after wild garlic, is located in the border regions of Nagaland state. For the 31 households of Washelo, with a population of 169, the Fundamental Right of their children to free and compulsory education has not been realised. People here are faced with a struggle to cope with the modifications being made to education policies in Nagaland state. Washelo Government Primary School was established a few decades back with classes running from nursery up to the 5th standard till 2014. The school had 43 students in 2014 and is manned by three government employed teachers and two privately employed teachers. The village council and the state Land Resources Department (LRD) also help in the running of the
C M Y K
in their 4th standard this year. Their future remains in the balance with the Nagaland state government and the school education department delinking the 5th standard from Government Primary Schools across the state. The government’s plan is to incorporate 5th standard classes in Government Middle Schools. This poses a problem for a remote village like Washelo, with the nearest Government Middle School being 12 kilometers away. Narrating her dream Magdallen, a student from
People are suffering: ENSF to Tuensang legislators NSF aims to ‘educate’ TuENSANG, FEb RuARy 9 (MExN): The Eastern Naga Students Federation (ENSF) today condemned the recent violence in Tuensang and slammed elected leaders of Tuensang District who are “confined in their respective camps…” A press note from the ENSF further opined against the elected members “…coming back with sugar coated mouths only during election antici-
pating for votes from those people who are suffering at this juncture. “ The ENSF lamented that the violence “could have been prevented,” had the Nagaland state government immediately implemented the ENPO Peace Committee’s recommendation of the ‘Longkhim Peace Agreement,’ signed on January 21, 2015. While acknowledging efforts made by the ad-
ministration, it hoped that those responsible for the violence would be booked. It further appealed to citizens of Tuensang district to cooperate with the order given by the district administration and to remain calm at a time when students appear their exams. The ENSF then informed that “both the villages had expressed displeasure over administration as there was a lack
of timely intervention on the matter and moreover justice was delayed. Further, when any issue arises in the District, the responsibilities were shifted to the Tribal Organizations.” It informed that a peace committee was constituted at Longleng on January 12, 2015 to enquire into the tense situation, leading to the signing of the Longkhim Peace Agreement’ “by all the parties.” On January 21,
Why lanterns? Ayaah, because disturbances comes in all shapes, sizes and de- NEW DELhI, FEbRuARy 9 names have been revealed whose added. Some prominent names partments. (IANS): The central government veracity would be checked by au- in the media report have report-
DIMAPuR, FEbRuARy 9 (MExN): The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) today informed that the HSSLC, HSLC and Class 11 exams for the year 2015 will commence from February 10. A press note from the NBSE informed that the HSSLC exams will begin on February 10 and conclude on March 2; HSLC exams will start from February 11 and conclude on February 24 and the class 11 promotion exams will begin on February 10 and end on March 3. A total of 52793 students will appear for the three examinations this year.
GPS Washelo says that she aspires to become a teacher so that she can come back and teach her friends. Upset at the modification to the education system, she adds, “When I am in the village, after school I go to field and help my parents and also take care of the house hold activities. But now I don’t know what will happen to all of us.” Tethsolen, a parent of one student who passed her 5th standard stated, “Though I don’t have much money I sold some of the field products and sent my daughter to Meluri town which is 85 kilometer to seek admission in 6th standard. But she could not be accommodated in any school so she is coming back. And we don’t know what we will do even if she comes back.” She however remains strong in her resolve to provide her daughter with an education. Education is a fundamental right, protected by law and the state is beholden to its obligation for the education of children. This story of Washelo’s children is a reminder that policy decisions need to be taken with consideration of all people, from all corners of Nagaland state.
In Washelo village, structural changes in govt schools pose a challenge for many children in their pursuit of education
it added, that the committee submitted a letter of recommendations to the authority concerned for immediate necessary action. However, the ENSF lamented that order on the restriction of movement with arms as per the recommendation of the peace committee came into effect only on February 7. The ENSF questioned why the precautionary measures could not be implemented on time.
Black money abroad: 350 accounts assessed, 60 cases, Jaitley informs
HSSLC, HSLC exams from February 10
school. It was adopted by LRD under its Special Program for Environment and Economic Development (SPEED) due to shortage of teachers. The school acts as the sole platform for children from this remote part of the state to acquire an education and prepare for their future. Four students passed out of their 4th standard in 2014 and seven others are
has completed assessment of 350 foreign accounts while tax-evasion proceedings have been initiated against 60 account holders as part of its crackdown on black money, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Monday. “About 60 prosecutions have so far been launched for wilful attempt to evade taxes [S/276C(1)] and failure to furnish accounts and documents etc [S/276D],” the finance ministry said in a release here. “Show Cause Notices before launching prosecutions have been issued in a large number of other cases wherein further action is underway,” it added. Reacting to a media report that 1,195 Indians were in the list of clients who held accounts in HSBC bank’s Geneva branch from 20062007, Jaitley said: “The details that have come out today (Monday) are the ones we already have.” “The question is not about names but evidences that we need. Some new
thorities,” he said. Jaitley said the assessment of the balance accounts will get completed by March 31. The finance minister said the government could not proceed on the “Swiss leaks” reports on the basis of some names. “Top hundred names have been published in a newspaper. Some of these names already figure in the earlier list available with the government. Necessary investigation will be taken up in all the new cases, expeditiously,” the finance ministry said in its statement. “Income Tax department is already in touch with the whistle blower who apparently brought out the names of persons holding undisclosed bank accounts in HSBC, Switzerland,” the ministry said. “He has been requested to share information available with him in regard to undisclosed bank accounts of Indians in HSBC, Switzerland and other destinations. His response is awaited,” it
edly denied having the Swiss bank accounts. The government had submitted a list of about 628 such account holders to the Special Investigation Team appointed by the Supreme Court for the recovery of black money. The authorities, in December, said that in case of money stashed in foreign accounts, the disclosure relates to 628 Indians, who figured on a list of account holders in HSBC’s Geneva branch that India has obtained from the France. Of these, no balance has been found in 289 accounts, according to the SIT report submitted to the Supreme Court. “Out of the 628 persons, 201 are either non-residents or non-traceable, leaving 427 cases as actionable,” the report said. “An amount of Rs.2,926 crore has been brought to tax towards the undisclosed balances in the accounts (79).” India has no official estimates of illegal money stashed away overseas,
but the unofficial ones range from $466 billion to $1.4 trillion. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal Monday urged the government to act against HSBC Bank to unearth details of Indians holding black money abroad while BJP’s Kiran Bedi called it “stolen” money. “Why doesn’t the BJP government act against HSBC officials? They will spill the beans. (The) US did precisely that,” former Delhi chief minister Kejriwal tweeted. He added: “But (the) bigger question is what did first (the) Congress and now the BJP do? Nothing? Why?” Bedi, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s chief ministerial nominee in Delhi, said in a tweet: “Truly criminal, inhuman when poor man’s money is stolen. This has caused huge gap between haves and have nots. She said the Indian Express disclosure was “evidence of where our national wealth, meant for infrastructure (and) nation building went ... Truly criminal. “All involved in HSBC scam must get exemplary punishment,” she added.
on illegal immigration
DIMAPuR, FEbRuARy 9 (MExN): The Naga Students’ federation (NSF) is scheduled to tour all districts of Nagaland state to “sensitize and educate our people about the threat posed by the presence of Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants (IBIs).” A press note from the NSF informed that the tour is set to begin from February 10. The NSF stated that it aims to educate people on the “consequences of harbouring IBIs” at the same time seek support and cooperation of all apex tribal organizations in order to come out with a concrete measure to tackle the “menace of Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants.” The NSF further said that it has “great concern” on the lack of any concrete policy or mechanism on the part of the government to check the influx of “Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants” and also the “laid-back attitude of our people in general, without realizing the danger of potential threat to our Tribal Identity and our social fabric.” The NSF however clarified that this campaign is “neither against the Muslim community nor against the genu-
ine non-locals from the mainland India, but it is a rigorous effort to detect and identify people from Bangladesh who have illegally entered Naga inhabited areas via Assam or other states.” Acknowledging that the exercise will be “quite challenging,” the NSF affirmed its determination to “undertake this mission with an objective to safeguard Naga identity and future of our younger generation.” It expressed hope that the “mission” would be successful with the support and cooperation of the people. The tour is scheduled to begin in Kohima on February 10 and pass through Tseminyu and Wokha on February 11; Mokokchung on February 12, Zunheboto on February 13; Phek on February 16; Meluri on February 17 and conclude in Peren on February 20. The NSF will meet members of various civil society organizations during the tour. For Dimapur town, Diphupar area, Chummukedima, Nuiland and other strategic areas under Dimapur district, the NSF will tour the areas in the last week of February as part of its second phase.
C M Y K